The Battle of Ulundi begins

Updated: 3 Jul 2020

The Battle of Ulundi was the decisive battle during the Anglo-Zulu War. It took place on the 4th July 1879 and marked the end of the Anglo-Zulu War, as well as the breakup of the Zulu nation. In July, Lord Chelmsford (British Commander) moved on Ndini, and in a final onslaught, known as the battle of Ulundi, secured military success against the Zulu nation. More than 1 000 Zulu were killed and King Cetshwayo (King of the Zulus) was forced to flee for safety. He was captured in the Ngome forest in August and exiled to Robben Island next to Cape Town. The British casualties were said to be 3 officers and 79 men. Read more on the Zulu community.

How we know this

01Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.
02Pakenham, T. (1991). The Scramble for Africa 1879-1912, Johannesburg: Jonathan Ball.
03Hermann Giliomee and Bernard Mbenga (2007). New History of South Africa. Tafelberg Publishers, Cape Town, pg 165.
04The Battle of Ulundi. Website: britishbattles.com https://www.southafricaholiday.org.uk/history/hist_ulundi.htm

Last updated · 3 Jul 2020

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). The Battle of Ulundi begins. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011072

South African History Online (2011) 'The Battle of Ulundi begins', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011072 (Accessed: 26 October 2026).

South African History Online, The Battle of Ulundi begins [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011072, (accessed 26 October 2026).

"The Battle of Ulundi begins." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011072. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "The Battle of Ulundi begins." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011072.