Zulu Kingdom

Kingdom of Zululand
Protectorate of the United Kingdom (1887–1897)
1816–1897
Location of the Zulu Kingdom, c. 1890 (red) (borders in flux)
Capital		kwaBulawayo; umGungundlovu; Ulundi
Languages		Zulu
Religion		Zulu religion
Government		Monarchy
King
•	1816–1828	Shaka kaSenzangakhona
•	1828–1840	Dingane kaSenzangakhona
•	1840–1856	Mpande kaSenzangakhona
•	1856–1884	Cetshwayo kaMpande
•	1884–1887	Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo
History
•	Death of Dingiswayo	1818
•	Accession of Shaka	1816
•	Battle of Gqokli Hill	1818
•	Battle of Mhlatuze River	1820
•	Anglo-Zulu War	1879
•	Annexation (British)	1887
•	to Natal	1897
Area
•	1828	29,785 km² (11,500 sq mi)
Population
•	1828 est.	250,000
Density		8.4 /km²  (21.7 /sq mi)
Currency		Cattle
Preceded by Succeeded by Mtetwa Paramountcy Natalia Republic Nieuwe Republiek Colony of Natal

The Zulu Kingdom, sometimes referred to as the Zulu Empire, was a monarchy in Southern Africa that extended along the coast of the Indian Ocean from the Tugela River in the south to Pongola River in the north.

The kingdom grew to dominate much of what is today KwaZulu-Natal and Southern Africa, but when it came into conflict with the British Empire in the 1870s during the Anglo-Zulu War, it was defeated despite an early Zulu victory in the war. The area was subsequently absorbed into the Colony of Natal and later became part of the Union of South Africa.

Shaka Zulu was the illegitimate son of Senzangakona, King of the Zulus. He was born c. 1787. He and his mother, Nandi, were exiled by Senzangakona, and found refuge with the Mthethwa. Shaka fought as a warrior under Jobe, and then under Jobe's successor, Dingiswayo, leader of the Mthethwa Paramountcy. When Senzangakona died, Dingiswayo helped Shaka claim his place as chief of the Zulu Kingdom. After Dingiswayo's death at the hands of Zwide, king of the Ndwandwe, around 1818, Shaka assumed leadership of the entire Mthethwa alliance.

Shaka initiated many military, social, cultural and political reforms, forming a well-organized and centralised Zulu state. The most important reforms involved the transformation of the army, thanks to innovative tactics and weapons he conceived; and a showdown with the spiritual leadership, witchdoctors, effectively ensuring the subservience of the "Zulu church" to the state.