The Anglo-Zanzibar War, fought between the United Kingdom and the Sultanate of Zanzibar on August 27, 1896, is known as the shortest war in history. It lasted only 38 minutes. The conflict began when Sultan Khalid bin Barghash refused to step down after the British installed a puppet sultan. In response, the British navy bombarded the palace and other strategic sites in Zanzibar, leading to a swift victory.

A Surprising Outcome

Despite the short duration, the war resulted in significant casualties, with around 500 defenders killed or wounded. The British had only one casualty, and the war concluded with the installation of a new sultan who was more favorable to British interests. This brief conflict, though small in scale, marked an important moment in the history of British colonialism in East Africa. Shutdown123