The World’s Shortest 38 Minutes War

 

Anglo-Zanzibar War: 38 Minutes Drama!

Source Image: Historical Easter Eggs

This Great War took place on a Small Island named Zanzibar Island. This war was fought between the British and Zanzibar Ruler Khalid Bin Barghash. 

In the 18th Century, Zanzibar was an Island 40 km from the Coast of East Africa and at that time it was a part of a Country named Oman. The Ruler of Oman was Said Bin Sultan at that time. He was also known as the Lion of Oman and was a powerful Ruler. 

On the Other Hand, the British who considered themselves Advanced wanted to rule East Africa and the Zanzibar Island. They wanted to take advantage of the Island’s Strategic location and bring precious resources under their control. 

In 1856, When the Sultan of Oman Said Bin Sultan Died, there was a rift among his sons for the throne of Oman. 

Elder Son Thuwaini Bin Said Took control of the Whole of Oman while the Younger one Majid Bin Said made Zanzibar a Separate Country and took control of it.

Now British Who were already finding a Way to Enter the Politics of Zanzibar and wanted to Conquer it, Immediately Accepted Zanzibar as a New Country. Since Zanzibar was an old Part of Oman, the Rest Countries refused to Accept it. Thus, this British Step proved fruitful and now they had a Good Image in front of Zanzibar’s Ruler. 

Zanzibar’s Main source of Income was the World’s Last Slave Market. Here Slaves were brought from The Coast of East Africa tied harshly with ropes. They were brought by ships to the Island. Some became ill and some died whose bodies were thrown in the Ocean and the remaining left were sold mercilessly. The Slave’s bidding was done and the selection was based on how much of a Slave could resist the tolerance which was whipping every slave hardly and the one who had much patience was sold at a high price.

British who were already Supporting Zanzibar had a negative image in front of the World due to the Slave Market so after so much effort and agreements Finally in 1873, the Slave market was Permanently Banned. Thus, this shows that the British now had a strong control over Zanzibar.

Soon Majid was poisoned by his cousin Khalid bin Barghash and was made the Ruler of Zanzibar which was against the British who wanted Hamoud bin Muhammad to be the Ruler.

When the British came to know about Barghash’s Propaganda, they sent a letter to his Palace on 24th August Which was directly a threat. It was written that the palace should be vacated by 9 AM on 27th August. The New Ruler Khalid gathered his force and locked himself in the Palace. British Ships also surrounded the Palace now.

However, the 2 Days passed with fear and Scare. Thus, on 27th August by 8 AM, the British received a letter from the Sultan that stated to end the matter through Negotiations. British in Reply said to obey all their orders and this matter could end but then at 8.30 AM, the Sultan stated that He had no such intention of leaving the palace so the British wouldn’t dare to Attack the Palace. The British again answered that they also don’t want a war but that doesn’t mean they cannot fight. 

However, Sultan Barghash had an Army of 2800 Soldiers outside his Palace which included Civilians, Palace Guards, and 100’s of the Sultan’s Own Servants. Also, 3 Ships which included the HHS Glassco Royal Yacht and 2 Steam Boats fought Against the British Navy. 

At Exactly 9 AM, the Ultimatum ended, 2 British Cruiser ships, 3 gunboats, and 150 Marines started coming forward towards the Palace. Soon at exactly 9.02 AM, The Ships came near the palace, they started heavy firing and so the Sultan’s Ships and Boats due to heavy bombardment were blown up and Surrendered themselves. The Sultan who knew this defeat, secretly left the palace with some Arab fellows. 

At Exactly 9.37 AM, the British Entered the Palace and Arrested and defeated the Rest Guards of the Palace. Then after exactly 1 minute i.e. 9.38 AM they went up to the roof and uprooted the Sultan’s flag and replaced it with the British Flag. Out of 2800, 500 were killed due to heavy Bombardment while Surprisingly Only 1 British Sailor was Injured. British Navy had fired a total of 500 Shells, 4100 Machine gun Rounds, and 1000 Rifle Rounds.

The Sultan flew to German Africa and now the British Appointed Hamoud bin Mohammed as the new Sultan of Zanzibar and also freed all the Slaves from Zanzibar in this way, Slavery was also Completely Abolished.