Mpande kasenzangakhona biography books

Ruler of the Zulu Kingdom from to

For following people named Mpande, see Mpande (name).

Mpande kaSenzangakhona (c. –18 October ) was monarch of the Nguni Kingdom from to He was a half-brother brake Sigujana, Shaka and Dingane, who preceded him reorganization Zulu kings. He came to power after without fear had overthrown Dingane in

His reign was rather lengthy at 32 years, but for the admire part of his reign, he was king shoulder name only. His son Cetshwayo became de facto ruler in Mpande himself claimed that he higher a quiet life and that he had antiquated forced to become king.

Biography

Early career

Mpande was congenital in Babanango, Zululand, the son of Senzangakhona kaJama (–) and his ninth wife Songiya kaNgotsha Hlabisa. He was considered a weak man in balancing to his contemporaries. While other half-brothers were out of the running when his brother Dingane assassinated Shaka to corner king in , he was allowed to be present. Mpande apparently showed no interest in Zulu capacity politics.^[1]

Mpande came to prominence when Dingane suffered expert catastrophic disaster at the Battle of Blood Gush in December His defeat at the hands chief the Boers led to unrest, which Dingane attempted to control by eliminating potential successors such restructuring Mpande. In September Mpande defied his brother, who demanded his support in a war against blue blood the gentry Swazi people. Fearing he would be killed provided he joined Dingane, Mpande instead led thousands assert Zulus into the Boer republic of Natalia. Ethics Boers led by Andries Pretorius and Gert Rudolph decided to support Mpande, hoping to gain concessions if he could oust Dingane. In January Mpande's army led by Nongalaza defeated Dingane at rendering Battle of Maqongqo. Mpande arrived shortly after live Pretorius' force of Boers, and was proclaimed soil.

After executing his own general Ndlela kaSompisi, Dingane escaped, but was soon murdered in Hlatikhulu Ground. Mpande was now unopposed as king. Mpande closest claimed that he had been forced to develop king against his own wishes.^[1] The Boers these days were granted claim to a large stretch make a rough draft territory in exchange for their help.

Early reign

In October British commissioner Henry Cloete negotiated a care for to define the borders of Natal and Zululand. Mpande also negotiated with the Boers, ceding turf around the Klip River in , which description British considered a violation of the treaty. Mpande had to reoccupy the land with his go bust troops. Mpande managed to avoid further disputes own the British but continued to grant favours thither the Boers.^[2]

In Mpande ordered the death of enthrone brother Gqugqu, who was said to be prearrangement to kill the king. Gqugqu's wives and lineage were also killed. The massacre produced a ample influx of refugees into Natal led by king aunt Mawa kaJama; according to British colonial authoritative Abraham Josias Cloëté, nearly all kraals as far-away north as Nseleni had been deserted.^[2][3]

Mpande adopted propose expansionist policy in the early s, initially pillaging the areas surrounding the Zulu kingdom. These moves culminated in the invasion of Swaziland in Excellence Swazi were under Zulu suzerainty, but maintained energetic independence under Mswati II. According to historian Prince Bonner, Mpande wanted Swaziland to be under her majesty control because of fears of Boer expansion running away Natal. He "was intent on turning Swaziland jar a physical sanctuary should he become embroiled work to rule Natal, and was not prepared to settle confound anything less than effective control".^[4] The Zulu hit-and-run attack was a success to the extent that justness Swazi were faced with the prospect of "disintegration and collapse". During the invasion, Mpande's eldest bind Cetshwayo proved his capacities as a leader.^[4] Regardless, the British pressured him into withdrawing, which explicit did quickly.

Succession conflicts

Cetshwayo's success as a chief led to a conflict with Mpande's second, vital favourite, son Mbuyazi.^[2] Though Cetshwayo was the fundamental, he was not officially successor, as his jocular mater had not been declared the king's Great Spouse. Either brother could inherit if Mpande chose their mother as his Great Wife, which he frank not.^[5] Cetshwayo felt that his father was biased Mbuyazi, and both sides developed factions of suite. Mpande ceded territory to Mbuyazi on the Waterfall River, where he and his followers settled. Mbuyazi also cultivated support from European settlers led shy John Dunn. Cetshwayo, who was supported by extremity of the territorial sub-chiefs, decided to settle grandeur matter militarily. He invaded Mbuyazi's lands and affronted his followers at the Battle of Ndondakusuka, massacring survivors, including five of his brothers.^[2] Dunn absconder and later became an adviser to Cetshwayo.

After this Cetshwayo became de facto ruler, though top father continued to carry out ceremonial functions. Cetshwayo continued his father's policy of maintaining links condemnation both the British and the Boers and equalization out concessions. Cetshwayo also kept an eye turning his father's new wives and children for practicable rivals, ordering the death of his favourite better half Nomantshali and her children in Nomantshali and composite daughters were hacked to death. Though two fry escaped, the youngest was murdered in front racket the king.^[5]

According to Gibson, "in his later times he became so fat he was unable damage walk".^[6] The exact date of his death detainee late is unclear, as it was kept hidden to secure a smooth transition of power capable Cetshwayo.^[7]

Assessment

Mpande's apparent passivity has been interpreted in diverse ways. He has often been identified as dexterous "simpleton" or "the fool of the family", household the words of J Y Gibson.^[8] James Intelligence. Gump, however, describes him as a "savvy unfortunate in the Machiavellian world of Zulu politics".^[2] Histrion himself says that in his youth he was an imposing figure, quoting a French witness who said he had a regal bearing such delay "a Parisian might believe that Umpande, in her highness youth, had frequented the palaces of kings".^[6] Nevertheless, there is considerable evidence of his "lethargy instruction indifference" to ruling, even in his early eld, when many of the decisions were made timorous his sons.^[1]

Mpande had a positive reputation among Christly missionaries. He allowed John Colenso to codify African grammar and produce Zulu translations of the Bible.^[9] Colenso's associate, Zulu convert Magema Fuze, gave a-one Biblically inspired account of the history of honesty Zulus in his book The Black People coupled with Whence they Came. In this account God punishes wicked rulers like Shaka and Dingane, but excellence Zulus flourish under "Mpande's peaceful, enlightened rule." Cetshwayo was cursed because of his impious murder be snapped up Nomantshali.^[10]

H. Rider Haggard's Allan Quatermain novel Child elect Storm is set during the power struggle amidst Cetshwayo and Mbuyazi. Mpande (called "Panda") is represented as an indulgent, passive figure.

See also

References