Palce of the Sultan, Zanzibar, 1896, before bombardment
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Palce of the Sultan, Zanzibar, 1896, before bombardment
Palce of the Sultan, Zanzibar, 1896, before bombardment. Date: 1896
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14356482
© Mary Evans Picture Library/Pump Park Photography
1896 Bombardment Sultan Zanzibar Palce
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the serene beauty of the Place of the Sultan in Zanzibar, as it stood in 1896, a year before the fateful bombardment that would forever change the course of its history. The Place of the Sultan, also known as Beit el Sahel, was the official residence of the Sultan of Zanzibar and Oman, a symbol of his power and wealth. The intricately designed arches, ornate columns, and lush gardens are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Swahili Coast. The tranquility of this image is in stark contrast to the events that were to unfold just a year later. In August 1896, a power struggle for the throne of Zanzibar between Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini and Khalifa bin Harub led to the intervention of European powers. The British, who had long-standing commercial interests in the region, supported Khalifa and bombed the Palace of the Sultan, effectively ending the rule of the Omani Sultanate in Zanzibar. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of a bygone era, a time when the Sultan of Zanzibar held sway over a vast and prosperous trading empire. It also underscores the profound impact of European colonialism on the African continent, as the scramble for resources and power led to the dismantling of indigenous political structures and the imposition of foreign rule.
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