The 38-Minute War: How Britain Destroyed Zanzibar in One Afternoon 🔥🔥 #history

Añadido: 2026-05-26

[00:00:00]August 25th, 1896, Sultan Hamad [music] of Zanzibar dies suddenly and his ambitious cousin Khalid seizes the throne without British approval. Khalid quickly fortifies [music] the palace, gathers armed supporters, and declares himself the new Sultan of Zanzibar.

[00:00:15]Offshore, British [music] warships arrive as diplomats deliver a final ultimatum demanding Khalid step down immediately. The deadline approaches.

[00:00:24]Zanzibari defenders prepare [music] for battle while British cannons aim directly at the palace. At 9:00 a.m. the a.m. the ultimatum expires and the British Navy opens fire beginning the Anglo-Zanzibar War. Shell after shell smashes [music] into the palace as British warships unleash devastating artillery bombardment. Within minutes, [music] Zanzibar's tiny navy is destroyed, buildings collapse, and fires consume the palace grounds. [music] As the bombardment intensifies, Sultan Khalid escapes through the rear of the palace and flees to the German consulate. [music] By 9:40 a.m. the fighting is over. The war has lasted only 38 minutes, the shortest war in [music] recorded history. The British install their preferred ruler, Sultan Hamoud bin Muhammad, tightening British control over Zanzibar. [music] The Anglo-Zanzibar War became a symbol of overwhelming imperial power and remains the shortest war the world has ever seen.

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