The British won the fastest war on record, the Anglo-Zanzibar War.
This conflict, widely recognized as the shortest war in history, occurred on August 27, 1896, in Zanzibar. The war lasted for approximately 38 minutes.
Key Facts of the Anglo-Zanzibar War
Based on the provided reference, here are the core details of this brief but decisive conflict:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | 27 August 1896, 09:00–09:38 (local mean time) |
| Duration | ≈38 minutes |
| Location | Zanzibar (now part of Tanzania) |
| Result | British victory |
Background of the Conflict
The war was triggered by the death of the pro-British Sultan of Zanzibar, Hamad bin Thuwaini, on August 25, 1896. His nephew, Khalid bin Barghash, seized power in a coup without British approval. The British authorities preferred a different candidate and issued an ultimatum to Khalid to step down.
When Khalid refused and barricaded himself in the Sultan's Palace, the Royal Navy, which had assembled warships in the harbour, opened fire at 9:00 AM on August 27.
The Battle
The bombardment quickly overwhelmed the palace defenses and Khalid's forces. A single Zanzibari vessel, the Glasgow, attempted to resist but was sunk. Facing devastating firepower and rapid destruction, Khalid fled the palace, and resistance collapsed after only 38 minutes of fighting.
The Anglo-Zanzibar War is a unique event in military history due to its incredibly short duration, solidifying the British victory as the win in the "fastest war."
