Anglo-Zanzibar War facts for kids

The Anglo-Zanzibar War was a very short war that happened on August 27, 1896. It was fought between the United Kingdom (Britain) and the Zanzibar Sultanate. This war lasted only about 38 to 45 minutes, making it the shortest war ever recorded in history!

What Was Zanzibar?

Zanzibar is a group of islands off the coast of East Africa. In the late 1800s, it was a powerful trading center. The Sultan of Zanzibar ruled the islands. However, the United Kingdom had a lot of influence there. Britain saw Zanzibar as important for its trade routes.

Why Did the War Start?

The war began because of a disagreement over who should rule Zanzibar. On August 25, 1896, the pro-British Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini died. His nephew, Khalid bin Barghash, quickly took over. He did this without getting approval from the British. The British wanted a different leader, Hamud bin Mohammed, who they believed would be easier to work with.

British Demands

The British told Khalid to step down. They wanted him to leave the palace and let their chosen leader take over. Khalid refused to listen. Instead, he gathered his soldiers and prepared for a fight. He had about 2,800 men and some cannons. He even had a royal yacht, the Glasgow, armed with a cannon.

The Shortest War in History

The British responded by sending warships to Zanzibar's harbor. They had five warships and about 1,000 soldiers and sailors. Their ships were much more powerful than Khalid's defenses.

The Bombardment

At 9:00 AM on August 27, 1896, the British sent a final warning. When Khalid still refused to surrender, the British ships began firing at 9:02 AM. They aimed at the palace and the Glasgow.

The battle was very quick. The British cannons destroyed the palace defenses. The Glasgow was sunk almost immediately. Khalid's forces were no match for the British navy.

Surrender and Aftermath

By 9:40 AM, Khalid's flag was pulled down from the palace. This meant he had surrendered. The war was over in less than an hour. Khalid escaped and later found safety in German East Africa. The British quickly put Hamud bin Mohammed in charge as the new Sultan. This event showed how powerful the British Empire was at that time.

Images for kids

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  The islands of Zanzibar and the African mainland

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  The bombing of Stone Town in an 1896 British newspaper

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  The masts of the sunken Glasgow can be seen in this panorama of Zanzibar Town harbour taken in 1902, looking east. The House of Wonders is the white building with a tower and many balconies in the middle of the photograph; the harem and palace stood to the left. The consulate buildings are to the right.

See also

In Spanish: Guerra anglo-zanzibariana para niños