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british period zanzibar history 1890 to 1964 |
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The British kept the Sultan in position, but as the royal family bickered and squabbled amongst themselves, this became increasingly puppet role. On the 25th of August 1896 Sultan Hamad died and his cousin Hamoud was declared as his successor by the acting British Consul, Sir Basil Cave. |
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This appointment was not met with agreement by Khaled, another cousin of Hamad who, as the son of Barghash, considered that he had the rightful claim to the accession. Khaled had gained access through a broken window, along with around 2000 supporters and had proclaimed himself Sultan, raising the Zanzibar flag. The British authorities refused to recognize Khaled's claim and the harbour stationed around tension rose as a potentially explosive stand-off ensued. Cave had marines from British ships in the town, evacuating Europeans to the British Consulate under heavy guard. At dawn Rear Admiral Rawson turned his guns on the palace and issued Khaled with an ultimatum. Either he was to surrender and walk out to the customs shed by 9.00am or the fleet would open fire. At 8.00am Khaled sent a message asking for talks, but his request was curtly turned down. |
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At 9.02am the fleet opened fire a barrage of shells on the palace and when the dust settled the building was in ruins, with up to 500 bodies strewn amongst the rubble. At 9.40am, the flag was lowered as Khaled surrendered, escaping through the maze of streets to seek sanctuary at the German Consulate.
From there he escaped to Mombasa, where he lived out his life in exile. The battle is officially listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the shortest war in history.
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British marines bomb the royal Palaces. | |
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| The salon of the House of Wonders was damaged but not destroyed as was the Palace next Door. | ||
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Archbishops' of Cantebury reflections on the slave pits in Zanzibar |
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Zanzibar Magic Booking Offices: Lauingerstr 57, 80997., Muenchen, Germany Hotline: +255 (0)777 844 417 |
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