The Anglo-Zanzibar War 1896. The Sultan's harem after the bombardment. Richard Dorsey Mohun (1865-1915). Public Domain
The Anglo-Zanzibar War started at 9 a.m. on August 27, 1896, and was finished by 9:40. This means it lasted 38 to 45 minutes flag.
At that time, Zanzibar was a sultanate under British protection. The Sultan was the legal sovereign, but the British were the power behind the throne, and determined who would the next Sultan be. When Sultan Hamad bin Thuwayni died unexpectedly, his nephew Khalid bin Bargash rushed into the palace, without waiting for the British to approve his ascension. The British had their own preferred candidate to install.
Khalid was not going to relinquish power without a fight. He mobilized a small army to be sure of his claim. The British gave his an ultimatum- vacate the palace by 9 a.m. The British warships opened fire two minutes later. Warships opened fire at Khalid's army, and by 9:40 a.m. it was all over.
The British lost one man, and Khalid's forces likely suffered around 500 dead or wounded. It is a major moment in history that took minuscule amount of time... and think of how fast we can blink.
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