Shaka Zulu
c. 1787 – 24 September 1828
Shaka kaSenzangakhona, known as Shaka Zulu, was the founder of the Zulu Kingdom in southern Africa. Through sweeping military and social reforms, including new weapons, tactics and regimental organisation, he transformed the small Zulu chiefdom into a dominant regional power before being assassinated by his half-brothers in 1828.
Lived at the same time
Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Shaka Zulu.
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- Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777–1855) Overlapped 41 years →
- Caroline Herschel (1750–1848) Overlapped 41 years →
- Francisco Goya (1746–1828) Overlapped 41 years →
- Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831) Overlapped 41 years →
Life events
Shaka was born around 1787, the son of the Zulu chief Senzangakhona and Nandi, a daughter of a Langeni chief; the exact date is not recorded.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgShaka and his mother Nandi were driven from his father's household and lived among the Langeni and later the Mthethwa, where he grew up as an outsider.
As a young man Shaka distinguished himself as a soldier in the forces of Dingiswayo, paramount chief of the Mthethwa confederation, who became his patron.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgAfter the death of his father Senzangakhona, Shaka took power over the Zulu chiefdom with the backing of Dingiswayo.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgShaka is credited with introducing the short stabbing spear (iklwa), larger cowhide shields, age-based regiments (amabutho) and the encircling 'bull horn' battle formation.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgWhen Dingiswayo was killed by the Ndwandwe under Zwide, Shaka took over leadership of the Mthethwa confederation and continued the war against the Ndwandwe.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgShaka's forces defeated Zwide's Ndwandwe in a series of campaigns, after which the Zulu Kingdom became the dominant power in the region between the Tugela and Pongola rivers.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgShaka received European traders led by Francis Farewell and Henry Francis Fynn and allowed them to establish a settlement at Port Natal, present-day Durban.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgThe death of Shaka's mother Nandi was followed by a period of extreme mourning that, according to contemporary accounts, brought harsh reprisals against his subjects.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgShaka was assassinated at his kraal at KwaDukuza by his half-brothers Dingane and Mhlangana together with an attendant, Mbopa; Dingane succeeded him as Zulu king.
Source: en.wikipedia.org