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World's shortest war ended less than an hour after it started, it was fought between..., took place in...
World's shortest war ended less than an hour after it started, it was fought between..., took place in...
Usually, when people talk about wars, they often picture long and exhausting battles that stretch on for years, like the First and Second World Wars, or even legendary conflicts such as the Mahabharata. Yet, history also tells us of a war so brief that it was over in less than an hour. This was the Anglo–Zanzibar War, fought on 27 August 1896, which lasted only about 38 to 45 minutes, making it the shortest war ever known.
The conflict began after the Sultan of Zanzibar, Khalid bin Barghash, refused to step down from the throne following the death of the previous sultan. The British, who held significant power and influence over the region, had given him an ultimatum to leave the palace. When he ignored their warning, the British forces acted immediately.
Warships of the Royal Navy opened fire on the Sultan's palace. Within minutes, heavy shelling destroyed much of the building. After less than an hour of bombardment, Khalid's forces abandoned the palace and fled.
With that, the war was over. The British swiftly installed a new sultan who was favorable to their rule, and Zanzibar once again came under their control.
The Anglo–Zanzibar War is remembered not for its scale or its destruction, but for its brevity. In under an hour, it had begun and ended, securing its place in history as the shortest war ever fought. Background to the Anglo-Zanzibar War
Zanzibar is a group of islands off the coast of present-day Tanzania in East Africa. In the late 19th century, it was an important trading center in the Indian Ocean. The islands were rich in resources and stood at a key point where many trade routes crossed.
By 1890, Zanzibar had become a British protectorate. This meant the Sultan still held his title, but real power in both political and military was in the hands of the British.
Britain was mainly interested in Zanzibar because of trade. The islands were vital for controlling the shipping routes that connected British India with Europe. At the same time, Britain was competing with other European powers, especially Germany, as they raced to claim territories in Africa during the era known as the 'Scramble for Africa.'
These factors: Zanzibar's strategic location, its trade value, and the rivalry between European empires formed the background to the Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896.
