Lt-Gen. Lord Chelmsford invaded Zululand with three columns of British troops on 10 or 11 January 1879, starting a war that ended Zulu independence. After the initial crushing defeat of the British at Isandlwana and their heroic defence of Rorke's Drift, the tide turned against the Zulus. Ulundi, capital of Zulu Chief Cetshwayo (Cetewayo) was burnt and his impis defeated.  Cetshwayo was captured on 28 August and on 2 September Britain signed a peace treaty with the Zulus. According to the treaty Zululand was divided into thirteen separate chiefdoms under a British resident. Cetshwayo was exiled and despatched to Cape Town on 15 September 1879.

The Zulu nation did not accept the pro-British chiefs and civil war reigned for decades to come.  Cetshwayo was restored as ruler in 1883, but this did not bring peace to the war-torn area.

Sources differ slightly on the exact dates.

Click here to read more about the Anglo-Zulu War.

References:

1. Wallis, F.(2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.
2. Potgieter, D.J. et al. (eds)(1970). Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, Cape Town: NASOU, v. 11, p. 598.