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Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently paid tribute at the Adwa Victory Monument in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, commemorating the historic Battle of Adwa from 1896. This event highlights ongoing diplomatic recognition of the battle's legacy in resisting colonialism.​
About Battle of Adwa
- The Battle of Adwa was a decisive clash on March 1, 1896, during the First Italo-Ethiopian War, where Ethiopian forces under Emperor Menelik II defeated an Italian army led by General Oreste Baratieri near the town of Adwa in northern Ethiopia.
- This victory preserved Ethiopia's independence amid Europe's Scramble for Africa. It remains a symbol of African resistance to colonialism.​
Background
- Italy sought to expand its East African colony of Eritrea into Ethiopia after misinterpreting the 1889 Treaty of Wuchale, prompting Menelik II to mobilize around 100,000 troops with rifles, spears, and cavalry.
- Baratieri's 15,000-20,000 Italian and colonial forces faced supply shortages and pressure from Rome to attack.
- Ethiopian unity, led by Menelik and Empress Taytu, was key to their numerical superiority.​
Significance
Adwa halted Italian expansion and inspired anti-colonial movements across Africa and the diaspora. Ethiopia celebrated it annually as a national holiday until 2021, underscoring unity and military prowess.​
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