The Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 saw British-led armies invade the Zulu Kingdom in Southern Africa as part of a wider plan to unify various territories into a single British-controlled state. Despite their spectacular success in the opening Battle of Isandlwana in January, the Zulus, armed only with spears, could not win a war against an enemy with rifles, machine guns, and artillery. After its army was destroyed at Ulundi in July, the Zulu Kingdom was divided into 13 states subordinate to British rule.
More about: Anglo-Zulu WarDefinition
Timeline
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1872 - 1879Cetshwayo rules the Zulu Kingdom.
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Jan 1879 - Jul 1879Britain wins the Anglo-Zulu War. King Cetshwayo is exiled and the Zulu Kingdom is divided into 13 chiefdoms.
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22 Jan 1879 - 23 Jan 1879Battle of Rorke's Drift in the Anglo-Zulu War.
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22 Jan 1879Zulu victory at the Battle of Isandlwana in the Anglo-Zulu War.
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28 Mar 1879Zulu victory at the Battle of Hlobane in the Anglo-Zulu War.
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29 Mar 1879British victory at the Battle of Kambala in the Anglo-Zulu War.
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2 Apr 1879British victory at the Battle of Gingindlovu in the Anglo-Zulu War.
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4 Jul 1879British victory at the Battle of Ulundi and end of the Anglo-Zulu War.
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1887Zululand becomes a British Crown colony.
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1897Zululand is incorporated into the British colony of Natal.
