The Zulu Kingdom was one of the most powerful states in Southern and Central Africa during its peak in the mid-19th century. The Zulu expansion and domination of their neighbours is credited to the inspirational leader Shaka, who transformed regional warfare, using new weapons and tactics to defeat all comers. Inevitably, the aspirations of the Zulu Kingdom to conquer new resources and territories led it into conflict with European colonists, particularly the Boers and the British. The Zulu Kingdom was conquered and divided following British success in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. Zululand was incorporated into the Union of South Africa in 1910, and the kingdom became the province of KwaZulu-Natal in 1994.
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Definition
Timeline
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1816 - 1828Shaka founds and rules the Zulu Kingdom.
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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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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.
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1910Zululand, then part of Natal, is incorporated into the British Union of South Africa.
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1994The province of KwaZulu-Natal is created within South Africa.
