Today in HistoryâAugust 27: The Anglo-Zanzibar War StartsâŚand Ends
On this day in 1896, the shortest war in history happened. Youâd be forgiven for missing the Anglo-Zanzibar War if you were taking a nap or watching an episode of Bridgerton: The war lasted just about 40 minutes.
In 1890 Britain and Germany carved up East Africa, and the island of Zanzibar ended up a British protectorate (whether they wanted to be or not). European interest in the island was piqued by its location along prime commercial shipping routes.
During the takeover, one of Britainâs primary objectives was the abolition of slavery in Zanzibar, and England soon put Ḥamad ibn Thuwayn in place as a puppet sultan, as heâd been friendly to British interests.
Things limped along fairly peacefully, until he died unexpectedly on August 25, 1896. (Itâs possible, according to some historians, that his âunexpectedâ death was actually murder.) Prince KhÄlid ibn Barghash, Ḥamadâs cousin, moved himself into the palace and took the title of sultan while Ḥamadâs body was still warm. (Things move really quickly in this story.)
The Brits were not pleased. By the end of the day, KhÄlid had fortified the palace and was prepared to dig in and fight. He had a few thousand men, some guns, and one ship.
By the next morning, the British had massed five imperial warships in the harbor, and British diplomat Basil Cave had received permission from the queen to undertake measures of warâassuming he was certain of success.
KhÄlid was eventually captured and sentenced to exile on St. Helena (the same place Napoleon was exiled).
Cave continued to send messages to KhÄlid, demanding he stand down and vacate the palace. If he remained in the residence at 9 am on August 27, Cave warned, the British would open fire.
About 8:00 am KhÄlid replied: âWe have no intention of hauling down our flag and we do not believe you would open fire on us.â
At 9 am the British did just that.
By 9:02 am the palaceâs wooden support structures were collapsing, most of its artillery was destroyed, and KhÄlid had ducked out the back.
By 9:40 am the flag was down, KhÄlidâs boat was sunk, and the war was ended.
Another pro-British sultan was promptly installed.
KhÄlid, meanwhile, escaped to the German consulate.
- ~3,000: Men in KhÄlidâs army
- 500+: KhÄlidâs people injured or killed
- 1: British soldier injured (he recovered)
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- 1964: Mary Poppins premieres in Los Angeles
- 2008: Sen. Barack Obama receives the Democratic Partyâs presidential nomination
