Zulu Kingdom under Cetshwayo/ Cetewayo 1870s

Zulu Kingdom under Cetshwayo/ Cetewayo 1870s

He had taken responsibility of kingship long before his father's death in 1872.
The Zulu people once again had a leader who was prepared to rebuild the military strength on which the nation had been established.
By 1873, the Zulu had recovered their military prosperity and self-confidence. In the same year, Sir. Theophilus Shepstone the Natal Secretary for Native Affairs crowned him as King.
In the first years of his reign, he concentrated on reforming the age- regiment system and rebuilding the feeling of Zulu nationalism.
By this time the British wanted some form of political Union (Federation) of all British colonies and Boer republics. An extension of the Blood river territory and reduction of Zulu power was made for the Union or Federation.
The British High Commissioner Sir. Bartle Frere used a raid by some of Cetshwayo's warriors into Natal as an excuse to disband the Zulu age- regiments and break Zulu political organization.
Cetshwayo refused to agree to these demands and in January 1879, Zululand was invaded by 13,000 British troops under Lord Chelmsford. The British suffered immediately an embarrassing defeat at the battle of Isandhlwana in which the whole British regiment was destroyed.
The British were quite unaware of the great Zulu- Impi. They made no preparation and spread their forces thinly. The Zulu had lost cattle, but courage and great tactical skills were demonstrated.
Isandhlwana was followed by an attack on Rorke's Drift by over 4,000 Zulu led by Dabulamanzi- Cetshwayo's half brother in charge of Ulundi corps but was repulsed.
The battle of Ulundi on 4th July brought reputation and dignity of the British, which had been lost at lsandhlwana. The Zulu were forced to defend their chiefs camp unfavorably.
In 1882 Cetshwayo was taken to London and reinstated later as chief, but was unable to regain the loyalty and support of his people. He was forced to seek refuge in a reserve and died at Eshowe miserably in 1884.
He was succeeded by his son Chief Din Zulu 1883-1906, after a civil war with the help of the Boers from the north.

Achievements of Cetewayo:

He was King of the Zulu people between 1872 up to 1884.
He reformed the Zulu agereginements.
Also he revived the Zulu militaristic nationalism and raids.
Cetewayo took steps to raid into Transvaal and Natal.
He defended the Zulu at the battle of Isandhlwana January 1879.
He protected his territory through the 1879 Anglo-Zulu wars (January and again in July).
Peace and stability prevailed in Zululand up to 1879.
He tried to defend Zulu independence and freedom in tough times.
He challenged British colonial pressures in Zulu land in January and July 1879.
He created a strong Zulu army.
Before 1877, he tried hard to avoid war with the whites.
He acquired fire arms for the Zulu army (impi) from the Portuguese merchants.
He remained the best Zulu leader after Shaka.
He fought off his hostile neighbors.
Encouraged trade between his people and the Portuguese.
Problems faced by Cetewayo/ Utswayo:
He faced conflicts with his brother's supporters, Mbulazi
The Federation Question advanced by the British posed a challenge to his rule.
British threats to annex the Zulu kingdom in order to destroy its militarism.
He acquired many guns and horses for his age regiments.
In 1877 Sir H.B Frere, the Governor of the Cape Colony was determined to annex the Zulu kingdom to achieve the Federation Plan.
The British wanted to overawe the Zulu militarism.
The Boers wanted the blood river lands
The British administration in Natal by 1877 insisted on the Zulu to disarm their warriors.
The British requested for cattle and a large payment from the Zulu to compensate the Boers who lost the Blood river lands.
In January 1879 the British under Sir. Bartle Frere invaded Zulu1and
In July 1879 the British battle hardened force fought its way in Cetewayo's capital Ulundi .
He was defeated and captured and later deported to the Cape Town.
The Zulu royals were also divided on his policies
In 1882 was exiled in London.
He was reinstated in 1883 but the Zulu rejected him.
He fled for his life and was later assassinated at Ekowe (Eshowe) in 1884.
The British also attempted to cede the Blood river territory to Transvaal.
The British fuelled anarchy among his people by the end of 1879 (the new rulers and the royal clan).
In 1884 the British annexed his Kingdom.