World's Smallest War Lasted for just 38 Minutes - Fought Between...
The expression 'world's smallest battle' may seem a little humorous, yet history frequently astonishes us with unexpected stories. This is one of them, a battle narrative. The Anglo-Zanzibar war of 1896, which we are discussing, was an incredibly brief fight that lasted only 38 minutes and earned a permanent place in history. All the information you need to know about the historic war is right here.
Anglo-Zanzibar war 1896: History
This conflict, which was brought on by a succession dispute over the Sultanate of Zanzibar, demonstrated the glaring disparity in power between the Sultan's army and the british Empire. Even though the war was short, it left behind a legacy of quick escalation, political intrigue, and the sobering reality of imperial domination. This is the amazing tale of the shortest war in history.
On august 27, 1896, the Sultanate of Zanzibar and the united kingdom engaged in combat in what is known as the Anglo-Zanzibar War. The battle was the shortest war ever documented, lasting between 38 and 45 minutes.
On august 27, 1896, the Sultanate of Zanzibar and the united kingdom engaged in combat in what is known as the Anglo-Zanzibar War. The battle was the shortest war ever documented, lasting between 38 and 45 minutes.
Anglo-Zanzibar war 1896: Shortest war
When pro-British sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini unexpectedly died in Zanzibar, the conflict broke out. sultan Khalid bin Barghash, his successor, overthrew the british and took control of the Zanzibar protectorate without their consent.
Khalid was given a deadline to step down by the british, who preferred Hamoud bin Mohammed, a more obedient leader. However, Khalid chose to fight and turned down the offer. The british responded by assembling a group of Zanzibari loyalists, 150 marines, and five cruisers. Around 500 of Khalid's soldiers were killed when british forces began fire on the palace at 9:02 AM, swiftly destroying his fortifications and sinking his boat. Within minutes, the palace was on fire due to the tremendous shelling. The war ended when Khalid escaped to the German embassy around 9:40 AM. To firmly establish their rule over Zanzibar, the british consequently appointed Hamoud as Sultan.
Khalid was given a deadline to step down by the british, who preferred Hamoud bin Mohammed, a more obedient leader. However, Khalid chose to fight and turned down the offer. The british responded by assembling a group of Zanzibari loyalists, 150 marines, and five cruisers. Around 500 of Khalid's soldiers were killed when british forces began fire on the palace at 9:02 AM, swiftly destroying his fortifications and sinking his boat. Within minutes, the palace was on fire due to the tremendous shelling. The war ended when Khalid escaped to the German embassy around 9:40 AM. To firmly establish their rule over Zanzibar, the british consequently appointed Hamoud as Sultan.
About Zanzibar Island
Off the coast of Tanganyika in the indian Ocean, Zanzibar was an island nation that is now a part of Tanzania. The Sultans of oman had nominally ruled the largest island, Unguja (now known as Zanzibar Island), since 1698, when they drove out Portuguese settlers who had claimed it in 1499. In 1858, sultan Majid bin Said separated the sultanate from oman and declared the island independent, a move acknowledged by the United Kingdom.