British warships opened fire on the Sultan of Zanzibar’s palace shortly after 9.00 a.m. on 27 August 1896. Roughly 40 minutes later, the firing had stopped. The Anglo-Zanzibar War is generally described as the shortest recorded war. Its brevity reflected an overwhelming military imbalance.

The dispute began two days earlier. Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini died on 25 August, and Khalid bin Barghash quickly occupied the palace and claimed the throne.

Zanzibar had become a British protectorate in 1890, and British officials expected a new sultan to have their approval. Khalid did not. Britain instead supported Hamoud bin Mohammed.

Khalid refused demands to leave the palace and gathered several thousand defenders and supporters. British warships assembled in the harbour while the British government authorised its representatives to use force if necessary.

An ultimatum required Khalid to leave the palace and lower his flag by 9.00 a.m. on 27 August. He remained.

The Royal Navy began its bombardment shortly after the deadline. The palace buildings were not designed to withstand naval gunfire. Zanzibari artillery was disabled and the royal yacht Glasgow, which fired on the British ships, was sunk in the harbour.

Accounts differ over the precise duration of the fighting, usually placing it between 38 and 45 minutes. Around 500 Zanzibaris were reported killed or wounded. On the British side, one sailor was wounded.

Khalid escaped from the palace and took refuge in the German consulate. The Germans later took him to German East Africa.

Britain’s preferred candidate, Hamoud bin Mohammed, became sultan. Britain had used naval force to remove a ruler it would not accept and strengthen its control over Zanzibar.