Chapter 58: Conspiracy
In the Sultanate of Zanzibar, the relationship between the East African colony and the Sultanate had been relatively peaceful since the establishment of the colony. The East African colonies' expansion into the inland regions of East Africa had disrupted traditional Arab merchant routes, but the colonies were not interested in acquiring indigenous slaves and ivory. Instead, after each land acquisition, they would trade indigenous people, ivory, and other products in the port of Dar es Salaam with merchants from various countries. This was quite different from the previous Arab caravans, which had to navigate the complexities of dealing with inland Bantu tribes. The East African colonies essentially streamlined the process, delivering goods right to the doorstep of Arab merchants.
The East African colonies primarily sought food and other products in exchange for their goods. However, these actions didn't sit well with some individuals, particularly the progressive forces within the Sultanate of Zanzibar, led by Bagash bin Said, the younger brother of the Sultan of Zanzibar, Majid bin Said.
This complex situation had its roots in Sultan Majid bin Said's reign. He was the sixth son of the former Oman Empire King Saeed bin Sultan, a powerful figure who had once brought prosperity to the Oman Empire and established Zanzibar as a significant center.
Upon Saeed bin Sultan's death, Majid bin Said and his third brother, Suweini bin Said, vied for the throne. Suweini ultimately secured the throne of Oman, while Majid became the Sultan of Zanzibar. This marked the separation of Zanzibar from the Oman Empire, establishing it as an independent nation.
During his rule, Sultan Majid bin Said had controversially utilized the Indian Ocean slave trade to consolidate power and accumulate the nation's wealth. Meanwhile, Bagash bin Said, his son, had attempted to overthrow him but was unsuccessful. Bagash was subsequently exiled to Mumbai for two years.
However, Bagash bin Said held strong convictions against the slave trade. He advocated for its abolition and was deeply interested in Western science and technology. He believed that the Sultanate of Zanzibar's development could be achieved through infrastructure projects—a stance consistent with historical records.
In Bagash's view, the East African colonies were essentially aiding and abetting wrongdoers by facilitating large-scale shipments of indigenous people. This perspective put him at odds with those who supported the slave trade.
In the port of Dar es Salaam, at Bagash bin Said's residence, discussions reached a fervent pitch. Bagash, his face red with determination, addressed his loyal advisors and associates, expressing his concerns.
He emphasized the urgency of the situation, fearing that if they did not take action, Zanzibar would have no future. Sultan Majid was now aged and seemingly confused, and the East African colonies, particularly the Germans, were aiding and profiting from the continuation of the slave trade. Bagash saw this as a grave injustice and an obstacle to Zanzibar's integration into the civilized world.
Bagash recognized the need for two key preparations. First, they had to disrupt the source of goods that the East African colonies provided to Majid for the slave trade. Second, they needed to overthrow Majid's rule to fundamentally modernize Zanzibar.
He pointed out that they possessed a significant army, a valuable asset. By uniting their compatriots in Zanzibar, they could assemble a formidable professional army of over 4,000 soldiers and challenge the East African colonies, particularly their meager force of just over 1,000 retired Prussian soldiers. Bagash believed that they held the advantage in numbers and had the potential to succeed.
However, when the discussion turned to the fate of Sultan Majid, who would potentially be overthrown, there was disagreement among Bagash's advisors. Some suggested a more ruthless approach, while others were cautious about the consequences.
Bagash firmly rejected any suggestion of violence against the Sultan, insisting that their aim was to exile him. He believed that exile would be sufficient to prevent any potential comeback, as Majid did not have the British backing that they did.
As the debate continued, Bagash sought to refocus their efforts on finding practical solutions rather than engaging in fruitless arguments.
This conspiracy against the East African colony and Sultan Majid bin Said had taken shape. However, if officials in the East African colony were aware of these plans, they would undoubtedly find them perplexing. The colony hadn't initiated the slave trade, and their involvement in it was primarily to earn extra revenue. To them, it seemed like an unwarranted disaster. Why involve outsiders in their family business and then complain about the East African colonies as being "bad people"?
This chapter reveals the intricate dynamics and differing perspectives of those involved in the historical context of East Africa.
(End of Chapter 58)