The Anglo-Zanzibar War, fought on the morning of 27 August 1896, is usually described as the shortest war in recorded history. It lasted between about 38 and 45 minutes.
Why it happened
Zanzibar had been a British protectorate since 1890. Britain expected to approve each new sultan. When Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini died suddenly on 25 August 1896, his cousin Khalid bin Barghash moved into the palace and declared himself sultan without British approval. Britain supported another candidate, Hamoud bin Mohammed.
The ultimatum
The British gave Khalid until 9:00 on 27 August to stand down. He gathered around 2,800 men, mostly armed civilians and palace guards, and refused. British warships anchored off the palace.
The war
At 9:00 the ships opened fire. The palace and nearby buildings were heavily damaged, and the sultan’s only warship, the HHS Glasgow, was sunk. Within about 40 minutes the palace flag was down and the shooting stopped. Around 500 people on the Zanzibari side were killed or wounded. One British sailor was injured. Khalid escaped to the German consulate and later left for German East Africa.
Afterwards
Hamoud became sultan the same day and ruled with British support. Britain made the Zanzibari government pay the cost of the shells used.
Seeing the history today
- The waterfront palaces of Stone Town, including the House of Wonders, which was damaged in the bombardment and later rebuilt.
- The Palace Museum, with rooms from the sultans’ era.
- A walking tour with a local guide brings the story to life.
Read our Stone Town guide and Zanzibar and Tanzania explained.
Frequently asked questions
Between about 38 and 45 minutes, on the morning of 27 August 1896.
Khalid bin Barghash declared himself sultan without British approval and refused to stand down.
Britain. Its preferred candidate, Hamoud bin Mohammed, became sultan the same day.
