The Shortest War Lasted 38 Minutes

The brief but decisive Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896 erupted from a succession crisis that underscored the extent of British influence in the region. The conflict's roots lay in a treaty that required the British consul's permission for any new sultan to take the throne. Following the death of the pro-British Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini on August 25, 1896, his cousin Khalid bin Barghash seized power, moving into the palace without British approval. The British, who favored another candidate, viewed this as a direct challenge to their authority and a potential threat to their interests, which included the suppression of the slave trade.

In response, the British assembled a formidable naval force in the harbor and issued an ultimatum to Khalid: abdicate by 9:00 a.m. on August 27 or face the consequences. Khalid, believing the British were bluffing, fortified the palace with around 2,800 men and a small assortment of artillery. At 9:02 a.m., the British warships commenced a heavy bombardment of the wooden palace. The ensuing firefight was overwhelmingly one-sided. Within minutes, the Sultan's artillery was silenced, and the palace was set ablaze. The Zanzibari royal yacht, the HHS Glasgow, was also sunk.

By 9:40 a.m., with his flag struck down and his forces suffering approximately 500 casualties, the conflict was over. Sultan Khalid fled and sought asylum in the German consulate before being exiled. The British quickly installed their preferred ruler, solidifying their control over the sultanate. The war, lasting a mere 38 to 45 minutes, marked the end of Zanzibar's sovereignty and the beginning of a period of heavy British influence.