How Long Was The Shortest War In History? All About The Anglo-Zanzibar War

The Anglo-Zanzibar War is considered the shortest war in history. It showcased the might of the British empire and its resolve to get what it sought at any cost.

The world as we know it is changing fast with wars running for years. The Russia-Ukraine War, for example, has been going on for more than 10 years now as the latest phase of the war trudging on for more than 1.5 years. On the other side of the globe, the Israel-Palestine War has been going on for years with brief pauses. However, there have been very short wars as well, such as the invasion of Anjoun in 2008, the Russia-Georgia War of 2008, and the India-Pakistan War of 1971.

However, few events stand out as dramatically as the Anglo-Zanzibar War, which holds the title of the shortest war ever fought. This war was not just a footnote in history; it was a stark illustration of imperial power dynamics and the lengths to which colonial powers would go to maintain control.

History's Shortest War: A Sultan's Demise And A Power Struggle

The war was catalysed by the sudden death of Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini of Zanzibar, a pro-British leader, on August 25, 1896. Zanzibar was a cluster of islands in the Indian Ocean, 22 miles off the coast of Tanzania in east-central Africa. Today, it is part of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Thuwaini's nephew the Zanzibari prince, Khalid bin Barghash, quickly seized power, defying British interests that sought to install another ruler more amenable to their agenda. This was also against Zanzibari laws which did not allow hereditary succession of power.

Zanzibar was crucial to the British for its mercantile trade potential.

The British had recently signed the Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty with Germany, delineating spheres of influence in East Africa, which made Zanzibar a protectorate under British control. The new Sultan Khalid's refusal to step down led to escalating tensions with the British authorities, who issued an ultimatum demanding his abdication by 9 AM on August 27, 1896.

When Khalid ignored the ultimatum, British warships HMS Racoon, HMS Sparrow, and HMS Thrush began bombarding the palace at precisely 9 AM. Within two minutes, most of Khalid's defences were obliterated. The sheer firepower unleashed by the British forces included 500 shells and thousands of rounds from machine guns and rifles.

The Sultan's palace, housing around 3,000 defenders, was quickly reduced to ruins. By 9:40 AM, the conflict was effectively over; Khalid had fled through a back exit while his forces suffered catastrophic losses estimates suggest around 500 casualties, including civilians.

The war was reduced to just a battle and lasted a mere 38 to 45 minutes on August 27, 1896.

In stark contrast to the devastation on the Zanzibari side, only one British sailor sustained injuries during this brief encounter. The aftermath saw Khalid seeking refuge in the German consulate before eventually living in exile. The British installed Sultan Hamoud, who aligned closely with their interests and agreed to abolish slavery in Zanzibar.

While the Anglo-Zanzibar War is often remembered for its brevity, its implications were far-reaching. It showcased the might of the British Empire and highlighted the technological disparities between colonial powers and local rulers. This conflict also marked a major moment in anti-colonial discourse as it demonstrated how imperial ambitions clashed with local aspirations for sovereignty. Although brief, this war underscored the violent realities of colonial rule and set a precedent for future conflicts in Africa.