Brief Introduction:
The Zulu Kingdom, also referred to as the Zulu Empire or Zululand, was a monarchy in Southern Africa that ran from the Pongola River to the Tugela river along the coast of the Indian Ocean. The Kingdom grew and prospered to conquer the majority of Southern Africa and modern day KwaZulu-Natal. Conflict with the British Empire occurred during the 1870’s and brought the downfall of the country along with it. The Zulu Kingdom was eventually defeated after early victory and was absorbed into the Colony of Natal which later joined the Union of South Africa. |
Different Reigns:
Senzangakona (?-1816)
Brought the Kingdom into a position to rise above other tribes and nations. Gave birth to an illegitimate son by the name of Shaka. He exiled Shaka and his mother. However, when Senzangakona died Shaka made a return. Not much else is known about his reign or his lifetime but his impact on the future of African culture has been case studied here
Shaka (1816-1828)
The illegitimate son of Senzangakona. Shaka initiated many social, cultural, political, and military reforms that were a driving force behind the rise of the Zulu Kingdom. He transformed the army using innovative tactics and weaponry. Shaka led a showdown with the spiritual leadership, witchdoctors, effectively ensuring the subservience of the Zulu church to the state which led to a larger centralization of power. Shaka also allowed the integration of defeated clans into the Zulu kingdom on basis of full equality instead of circumstances surrounding birth. After the Zwide clash, many small tribes and clans broke apart from the Ndwandwe alliance. These tribes began murderous campaigns against other tribes setting in motion a mass migration. The death toll during these five years alone ranged between 1 and 2 million people based on different estimates. By 1825, not even a decade after Shaka took over power, the Zulu kingdom conquered 11,500 square miles. Shaka was assassinated by Dingane and Mhlangana, half brothers, in 1828. |
Dingane (1828-1840)
Following a successful assassination plot, Dingane murdered his half brother, Mhlangana, who helped him take over the throne. Dingane then followed that up with executions of royal kin and many past supporters of Shaka. The only important person spared was Mpande as he was deemed too weak to be a threat. Dingane began talks with Retief and his Voortrekkers and faked a treaty to catch them by surprise. Dingane ambushed the Voortrekkers and massacred the leader Retief. In retaliation, the Voortrekkers under new leadership overtook Dingane. Dingane burned his royal household and fled north after the defeat. |
Mpande (1840-1856)
Shortly after Dingane's defeat, Mpande defected with 17,000 followers. Mpande's followers banded with Pretorius and the Voortrekkers to wage war against the fleeing Dingane. Very quickly, Dingane was assassinated near the modern Swaziland border. Mpande then retained power over the Zulu nation. In part of Mpande retaining power, a truce was forged between the Zulu Kingdom and the Voortrekkers in 1839. However, in 1842 war broke out between the Voortrekkers and the British. The British came out victorious and Mpande shifted his allegiance from the Voortrekkers to the British following the war. The following year, Mpande purged perceived dissidents within his area under his control. This purge led to hundreds of deaths and thousands of fleeing refugees. The purge began to expand into the surrounding areas which resulted in an invasion of Swaziland in 1852. British pressure forced Mpande to withdraw his forces and end his purge early. Mpande died of old age in 1872.
Shortly after Dingane's defeat, Mpande defected with 17,000 followers. Mpande's followers banded with Pretorius and the Voortrekkers to wage war against the fleeing Dingane. Very quickly, Dingane was assassinated near the modern Swaziland border. Mpande then retained power over the Zulu nation. In part of Mpande retaining power, a truce was forged between the Zulu Kingdom and the Voortrekkers in 1839. However, in 1842 war broke out between the Voortrekkers and the British. The British came out victorious and Mpande shifted his allegiance from the Voortrekkers to the British following the war. The following year, Mpande purged perceived dissidents within his area under his control. This purge led to hundreds of deaths and thousands of fleeing refugees. The purge began to expand into the surrounding areas which resulted in an invasion of Swaziland in 1852. British pressure forced Mpande to withdraw his forces and end his purge early. Mpande died of old age in 1872.
Cetshwayo (1856-1884)
When Mpande began to grow old, Cetshwayo began to disrupt his father's authority. By 1872 when Mpande passed due to old age, Cetshwayo already had some control and succeeded as the ruler. In 1878, a high ranking British official left Cetshwayo with an unobtainable ultimatum. With the Zulu Kingdom unable to comply, British forces crossed the Tugela river at the end of the month. The British forces won the war between the countries and Cetshwayo was captured a month after his defeat and he was exiled to Cape Town. During this time the ruling structure of the Zulu Kingdom was changed indefinitely. Rule was divided between 13 "kinglets." Each kinglet had control of his own subkingdom. However, conflict emerged between the subkingdoms and Cetshwayo ended up visiting England in 1882. He was allowed to return to the Zulu Kingdom and was reinstated as king in 1883. However, the new territory he ruled was dramatically reduced from the original kingdom. Later that year, a kinglet by the name of Zibhebhu attacked and wounded Cetshwayo. Cetshwayo fled and died the following year. His son Dinuzulu was set to acquire the throne at a young age of just 15. |
Dinuzulu (1884-1887)
At the start of his rule, Dinuzulu made a pact with the Voortrekkers and they defeated Zibhebhu in 1884. Dinuzulu gave away half of the Zulu Kingdom individually as farms. The British were left quite alarmed by this outcome as the British wanted to restrict the Voortrekkers from accessing a harbor. Almost 20 years later, Dinuzulu was accused of being behind the Bambatha rebellion. He was arrested and put on trial by the British. He was only allowed passage home when the Union of South Africa was formed. |
Recent History (1887-present)
Dinuzulu's son Solomon kaDinuzulu was never formally recognized as the Zulu king. However many chiefs, Zulu locals, and political intellectuals often refer to Solomon as the next King following Dinuzulu. In 1951, Solomon's son Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon was officially recognized as the Paramount Chief of the Zulu People. However, real power lies with the South African government officials and not the local chiefs in today's world. The modern government system can be explored here
Dinuzulu's son Solomon kaDinuzulu was never formally recognized as the Zulu king. However many chiefs, Zulu locals, and political intellectuals often refer to Solomon as the next King following Dinuzulu. In 1951, Solomon's son Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon was officially recognized as the Paramount Chief of the Zulu People. However, real power lies with the South African government officials and not the local chiefs in today's world. The modern government system can be explored here
Three Major Clashes:
Zwide
Under Shaka, the Zulu Kingdom survived the first assault at the Battle of Gqoki Hill in 1818. Then Shaka rallied forces and defeated Zwide at the Battle of Mhlatuze River in 1820. More information on the Zwide forces is available here
Voortrekkers
In 1837, the leader Retief visited Dingane to negotiate a land deal. Dingane asked Retief to recover cattle stolen by a local chief. After the cattle were recovered a treaty was signed February 4th, 1838. A dance occurred between groups in celebration. During the dance, Dingane ambushed Retief and his forces. Retief and his men were massacred at the dance. The remaining Voortrekkers elected a new leader and led an attack on the Zulu Kingdom. The Zulu forces suffered a major defeat and Dingane burned his royal household and fled north. To learn more about the conflict between the Voortrekkers and the Zulu Kingdom click here
The British
In 1878, Sir Henry Bartle Frere, not condoned by the British government, gave an ultimatum to Cetshwayo. The terms were outlandish and there was no possible way that the Zulu Kingdom could comply. In response, British forces crossed the Tugela river at the end of December in 1878. The British engaged the Zulu army and the British suffered a crushing defeat in the Battle of Isandwana in January of 1879. This defeat was the worst defeat the British army ever suffered from a native African force. This prompted a redirection for the war effort which led the British to a successful siege on the capital city and the sub sequential defeat of the Zulu kingdom. To learn more about the Anglo-Zulu War
Zwide
Under Shaka, the Zulu Kingdom survived the first assault at the Battle of Gqoki Hill in 1818. Then Shaka rallied forces and defeated Zwide at the Battle of Mhlatuze River in 1820. More information on the Zwide forces is available here
Voortrekkers
In 1837, the leader Retief visited Dingane to negotiate a land deal. Dingane asked Retief to recover cattle stolen by a local chief. After the cattle were recovered a treaty was signed February 4th, 1838. A dance occurred between groups in celebration. During the dance, Dingane ambushed Retief and his forces. Retief and his men were massacred at the dance. The remaining Voortrekkers elected a new leader and led an attack on the Zulu Kingdom. The Zulu forces suffered a major defeat and Dingane burned his royal household and fled north. To learn more about the conflict between the Voortrekkers and the Zulu Kingdom click here
The British
In 1878, Sir Henry Bartle Frere, not condoned by the British government, gave an ultimatum to Cetshwayo. The terms were outlandish and there was no possible way that the Zulu Kingdom could comply. In response, British forces crossed the Tugela river at the end of December in 1878. The British engaged the Zulu army and the British suffered a crushing defeat in the Battle of Isandwana in January of 1879. This defeat was the worst defeat the British army ever suffered from a native African force. This prompted a redirection for the war effort which led the British to a successful siege on the capital city and the sub sequential defeat of the Zulu kingdom. To learn more about the Anglo-Zulu War