The Zulu war

In this episode, we dive into the dramatic and brutal conflict between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. From the causes of the war and the ambitions of British colonial expansion, to the power and organization of the Zulu nation under King Cetshwayo, we trace the road to one of the most shocking defeats in British military history at the Battle of Isandlwana.

We’ll also look at the heroic – and controversial – defense of Rorke’s Drift, the wider course of the war, and how it reshaped the future of Southern Africa. This is a story of cultural clash, imperial ambition, courage, and tragedy, told in a way that brings the history vividly to life.