⚔️ The shortest war in history

What is the shortest war in history, and when and where did it take place? Why did the Sultan of Zanzibar, who declared war on the British in 1896, retreat and flee after only 37 minutes?

⚔️ THE SHORTEST WAR IN HISTORY

The record for the shortest war ever fought belongs to the one waged against a Sultan of **Zanzibar** in **1896**.

The War and Its Duration

The shortest war in history was the **Anglo-Zanzibar War**.

• When and Where: It took place on **August 27, 1896**, in **Zanzibar City**, on the island of Zanzibar (present-day Tanzania).
• Duration: The conflict lasted only **37 minutes**, starting at 9:00 AM and ending at 9:37 AM when the Sultan’s flag was lowered.

Why the Sultan Fled After 37 Minutes

The Sultan of Zanzibar, **Khalid bin Barghash**, fled the palace because he was completely **overmatched by the overwhelming and modern firepower** of the British naval forces.

• The Immediate Cause: Sultan Khalid refused a British ultimatum to stand down after he seized the throne following the death of his pro-British cousin. The British viewed his accession as a violation of an earlier treaty.
• The Confrontation: The British deployed five warships (including the HMS St George and HMS Philomel) aimed directly at the Sultan’s Palace, which was unfortified and defended only by a small, ill-equipped local guard and a handful of artillery pieces.
• The Outcome: When the British ships opened fire, the palace quickly began to collapse. Recognizing that further resistance was pointless against the powerful naval bombardment, Sultan Khalid **fled the palace** to the German consulate, where he was granted asylum. The immediate retreat sealed the British victory and the record for the shortest war. (Note: The claim that he “dynamited” his palace is a common exaggeration; the destruction was caused by the British shelling).