Hamoud bin Mohammed of Zanzibar
Sheikh Hamoud bin Mohammed Al-Said, GCSI, (1853 – July 18, 1902) (ruled August 27, 1896 - July 18, 1902) (Arabic: حمود بن محمد) was the British-controlled Omani sultan of the protectorate of Zanzibar, who outlawed slavery on the island.[1]
Hamoud became sultan with the support of the British consul, Sir Basil Cave, upon the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Thuwaini. Before he could enter the palace, another potential contender for the throne, Sheikh Khalid bin Barghash, seized the palace and declared himself sultan. The British responded the next day, August 26, 1896, by issuing an ultimatum to Khalid and his entourage to evacuate the palace by 9:00 am on August 27. When he refused, British warships fired on the palace and other strategic locations in the city, destroying them and causing Khalid and his group to flee. According to the Guinness Book of World Records the resultant Anglo-Zanzibar War was the shortest war in history, and the same day Hamoud was able to assume the title of sultan, more indebted to the British than ever.
Hamoud demanded that slavery be banned in Zanzibar and that all the slaves be freed.
By his wife Princess Sheikha Khanfora bint Majid Al-Busaid (daughter of the first Sultan of Zanzibar) he had ten children:
- Sheikh Ali bin Hamud Al-Busaid, 8th Sultan of Zanzibar
- Prince Sheikh Majid bin Hamud Al-Busaid
- Prince Sheikh Saud bin Hamud Al-Busaid
- Prince Sheikh Taimur bin Hamud Al-Busaid
- Prince Sheikh Faisal bin Hamud Al-Busaid
- Prince Sheikh Muhammed bin Hamud Al-Busaid
- Princess Sheikha Matuka bint Hamud Al-Busaid (who married Sheikh Khalifa bin Harub Al-Busaid, 9th Sultan of Zanzibar)
- Princess Sheikha Boran bint Hamud Al-Busaid (who married Prince Sheikh Said bin Ali, the son of the fourth Sultan of Zanzibar)
- Princess Sheikha Mishan bint Hamud Al-Busaid (twin with Boran)
- Princess Sheikha Hakima bint Hamud Al-Busaid
On his death in 1902 he was succeeded by his oldest son, Sheikh Ali bin Hamud.[1]
Titles
- 1853-1896: Sheikh Hamud bin Muhammad
- 1896-1898: His Highness Sultan Sheikh Hamud bin Muhammad, Sultan of Zanzibar
- 1898-1902: His Highness Sultan Sheikh Sir Hamud bin Muhammad, Sultan of Zanzibar, GCSI
Honours
References
Preceded by Khalid bin Barghash |
Sultan of Zanzibar 1896–1902 |
Succeeded by Ali bin Hamud |