Joseph Isangura
The last Sultan of Zanzibar before the 1964 Revolution Jamshid bin Abdullah, has passed away at the age of 95 in Muscat, Oman, after a lengthy illness.
According to reports, he died on the evening of Monday, 30 December 2024, in a hospital, and his burial is scheduled for today, Tuesday, at the Royal Cemetery in Muscat.
Born on 16 September 1929 in Zanzibar, Jamshid was educated locally before moving on to Egypt and later the United Kingdom, where he spent two years serving in the British Royal Navy. His early life was marked by international exposure, which shaped his worldview and prepared him for the responsibilities he would later face.
In July 1963, Jamshid succeeded his father, Sultan Abdullah bin Khalifa, as the Sultan of Zanzibar. Unfortunately, his reign was cut short just six months later when the 12 January 1964 Revolution overthrew the monarchy and led to the establishment of Zanzibar’s first presidency under Abeid Amani Karume.
Also Read; Minister Orders Action Against Tobacco Cartels
The revolution brought profound change to the political landscape of the island, ultimately leading to the union of Zanzibar and Tanganyika to form the modern-day Republic of Tanzania.
After the revolution, Jamshid went into exile, living in various countries, including Oman, where he spent his final years. Despite his forced removal from power, Jamshid continued to be an important historical figure for many in Zanzibar, representing the island’s pre-revolutionary past.
His passing marks the end of an era for the island, as Jamshid was the last person to hold the title of Sultan in a Zanzibar that no longer exists. While his reign was brief, it coincided with a period of great political upheaval that reshaped the future of the region.
For those who remember the monarchy, Jamshid’s death signifies the closing of a chapter in Zanzibar’s rich history. His life, which spanned nearly a century, reflected both the end of an old world and the rise of a new political order in East Africa.
