The day of the battle arrived, and the army of the Mahdi, led by Osman Digna, was ready. The Mahdi himself was not present, but his presence was felt in the fervor of his followers. The battle was fierce, with both sides fighting bravely. The Mahdi's forces, though outnumbered, fought with a religious zeal that surprised the Anglo-Egyptian army. The battle raged for hours, with heavy casualties on both sides. In the end, the Mahdi's forces were victorious, and the Anglo-Egyptian army was forced to retreat. This victory was a major blow to the British and a significant boost to the Mahdi's cause.