The Islands of Zanzibar were under Omani influence from the reign of Imam Sultan bin Seif who conquered them from the Portuguese in 1652.
Having realized the hidden wealth of these islands, he made sure that before he returned to Oman, he would have appointed someone to look after his new priceless possession. The chosen candidate was to be a member of the El-Harthy family.
Upon his death, The Imam was succeeded by his son, Seif bin Sultan who was a daring and an adventurous ruler. He was the first Arab who managed to put a stop to the Portuguese insurgency of East Africa.
Seif bin Sultan was in 1711, succeeded by a
member of the Albusaid Dynasty - Ahmed bin Said, who was chosen by the Omani people
after Imam Seif bin Sultan's grandson lost control of his country. Henceforth, the reign of the Albusaid Dynasty began which led to
the reign of Omani Sultans in Zanzibar.
Seyyid Said was the son of Seyyid Sultan bin Ahmed and the grandson of Ahmed bin Said, the first ruler from the Albusaid Dynasty. He claimed the Throne after assassinating his father's cousin Badar bin Seif (in 1804), who ruled after Seyyid Sultan's death.
He took the title "Seyyid" replacing the traditional one of "Imam", and his wife was given the title "Seyyida".
In 1832 Seyyid Said made Zanzibar the capital city of Oman, settling there with his family and followers. His aim was to transform Zanzibar into a major Trading Centre for the eastern the world.
This move was partly influenced by the fact that Zanzibar's coral reefs offered a natural protection from enemy attacks executed from the sea, and other benefits included its naturally deep harbour (which could anchor large ships), and an abundant supply of fresh spring water (very important for any trading expedition).
Seyyid Said converted the fishing town of Zanzibar, one with mud huts and thatched roofs into a town with storeyed flat-roofed houses, built from stone, lime and mortar. The construction was carried out by skilled masons from Arabia helped by a native labour force. This move encouraged many other Omanis to leave Oman and come and settle on Zanzibar.
Seyyid Said began a Barter Trade with Europeans who ventured out to the shores of Zanzibar. In order to live his dream, he encouraged the foreigners to open business centres on the island, and in 1833 signed a Treaty with America to commence trade in his Kingdom.
The Omanis bartered coconuts, tortoise shell, red peppers, beeswax and other locally produced products in exchange for hardware, cotton wool and fabric.
With the Trade Treaty, the Americans established a Trading Agency in Zanzibar called John Bertram & Co.
(of Salem Massachusetts), and later in 1837, America opened its first Embassy on the islands.
Another American merchant house, Arnold Hines & Co., of New
York was also opened on the island.
In 1841 Britain opened a merchant house and subsequently a Consulate. The first British Consul was an Irish Army Lieutenant - Colonel Atkins Hammerton.
Subsequently, the French, Italians, Belgians, Germans and Austrians sent their missions to Zanzibar.
Seyyid Said's passion for agriculture gave him an incentive to exploit the rich fertile soils of Zanzibar. He began to search for a crop that would be valued by the people of Zanzibar and also have a massive demand on the world market.
His answer was the Clove Tree - a tree which originates from the Moluccus Islands and whose flowers when dry, turn into an aromatic spice called Cloves.
He ordered several thousand clove sapplings from these Islands and encouraged the local farmers (all arabs at that time!) to plant clove trees extensively. Zanzibar's cloves were of a very high quality compared to other countries because of its favourable climate and rich soil.
During his reign in Zanzibar, Seyyid Said paid frequent visits to his homeland to settle any political conflicts that arose while he was in Zanzibar. In 1856 whilst returning to Zanzibar on the British Warship, Victoria, he was taken ill and passed away on 19 October 1856, off the islands of Seychelles.
After Seyyid Said's death, his younger son Majid rose to the throne and not his Thuwain, his eldest son, who at that time was in Muscat. These were in fact, the wishes of the late Sultan!
Thuwain tried to claim his right to the throne but the British Government who were his father's protector, appointed a commission led by Lord Canning to settle this dispute. Their verdict was in favour of Majid but at the same time, the cunnningly managed to please Thuwain too!
Thuwain would rule Oman and his younger brother rule the islands of Zanzibar and any other Omani possessions on the Eastern horn of Africa.
This decision created two separate entities within one Kingdom - Oman and Zanzibar, each with an individual administration and jurisdiction which were put into force in 1861.
This however wasn't going to be the end for the problems in East Africa, as a feud arose between Majid and his other brother Barghash. Britain intervened and to resolve the stalemate and decided to send Barghash to Bombay in India, for further studies.
On the event of his brother's death Barghash returned to Zanzibar from Bombay to claim his right to the throne. He was a very ambitious man with expensive western tastes and a ostentatious standard of living which he had acquired while studying in India.
Seyyid Barghash spent a lot of money in the development of his sultanate. He financed the construction of a fresh water pipe network from the natural spring on Zanzibar island to the town.
In 1872 he convinced the British India Steam Navigation Company to start a monthly steamer service between Aden and Zanzibar. This service carried Zanzibar's mail to all parts of the world.
After the opening of the Suez Canal(1869), he arranged for the Eastern Telegraph Company to lay a long distance cable cable under the ocean bed from Aden to Zanzibar. Work on laying the submarine cable was accomplished by 1879. A local office was opened with technicians brought from London, Goa and Bombay.
Seyyid Barghash was also instrumental in abolishing the Slave Trade. He signed an agreement with Britain in 1870, prohibiting the trading of slaves in his kingdom. He also closed the great slave market at Mkunazini in Zanzibar (where the Anglican Cathederal now stands).
He succumbed to his old age and the stresses associated with ruling his kingdom, passing away in 1888.
Following Seyyid Barghash's demise, Seyyid Khalifa ascended the throne. He reinforced the prohibition on Slavery imposed by his predecessor and made an official declaration that all slaves entering his kingdom would be freed.
He died of a fever on 13 February 1890 at his residence in Chukwani, at the ripe age of 36, reigning only for two years.
On the 1st of June 1890, Seyyid Khalifa's successor, Seyyid Ali placed
Zanzibar and Pemba under British protection. The Protectorate was proclaimed
on 1 November 1890.
The above information on Sultan Seyyid Ali bin Said has to be verified. I was not able to find a detailed article on him at the time of releasing this website! If you have any supporting or conflicting facts please email them to me.
I afraid I could not find any more information on Seyyid Hamed bin Thuwein. If you have some additional information please email it to me.
Son of Seyyid Barghash, he seized the sultan's palace on 25 August 1896 and proclaimed himself Sultan contrary to the British Governments nomination of Seyyid Hamoud.
Having ignored an ultimatum poised by the British Government, the palace where he was taking refuge was bombarded by a British fleet , docked at Zanzibar's harbour and commanded by Rear Admiral Rawson.
Fearing for his safety, he fled to Dar-es-salaam under refuge from the German Government.
After residing in Seychelles and later in Saint Helena he was forced to hand himself to the British when Germany lost the First World War. He died in Mombasa in 1927.
When Seyyid Khalid fled from Zanzibar, Britain hurriedly swore Seyyid Hamoud to the throne.
He had one son called Ali who was sent to be educated at Harrow, England.
After the death of his dear friend and confidante, Sir Lloyd Mathews in 1901, scarcely had a year passed when he passed away on 18 June 1902 at the age of 51.
At the time of his father's death, Seyyid Ali was still a minor. When he ascended the throne he kept to a western lifestyle that he had got accustomed to, while studying in England.
In 1911 he was invited to England to witness the Coronation of King George the V. While in Europe, he abdicated his throne and decided to settle in Europe. He strangely passed away in Paris that very same year.
His sons, who he had left behind in Zanzibar, claimed no right to the throne.
Seyyid Khalifa ascended to the throne after Seyyid Ali's abdication. During his reign Britain's protection of the Sultanate was transferred from the Foreign Office to the Colonial Office in 1925. The offices of the British Consulate and his Majesty's Agency were eliminated and the post of British Resident was created.
Zanzibar's harbour was expanded and facilities for deep sea berths were constructed. A network of tarmac roads was also built across the islands to enhance trade on the islands. Education and health services were created and extended to some remote areas.
The Judicial System was improved on and native Councils and Mudiral courts were set up.
Seyyid Khalifa died in October 1960.
He was Seyyid Khalifa's only son, with a very sociable and friendly personality. Sadly, his reign was short-lived due to his poor health. He fell victim to diabetes which resulted in both his legs swelling up.
After a prolonged illness, gangrene set in which resulted in both his legs having to be amputated. He died 1963 whilst the amputation was being performed.
Seyyid Jamshed was educated at a Naval Academy in England. Seyyid Jamshed was Zanzibar's last Sultan. He succeeded his father on 1 July 1963.
Like his father, his reign was also short lived, being ousted by the Zanzibar
Revolution of 12 January 1964.
He managed to escape to Dar-es-salaam on his personal yatch, the Al
Hathera and was soon after granted political asylum in England. He now resides in
Portsmouth in the U.K.
If you have any supporting information on the Sultans of Zanzibar do drop us an email.