Barghash bin Said

Barghash bin Said became Sultan of Zanzibar after the death of his brother Majid. He inherited a prosperous but contested state, facing pressure from European powers and internal challenges to his authority.

Barghash bin Said oversaw the extensive building of Stone Town in Zanzibar City, constructing palaces, mosques, and public buildings using coral stone. This architectural project transformed the city into a major Swahili cultural and commercial center.

Barghash bin Said initially resisted British demands to end the slave trade, seeking to preserve Zanzibar's economic base. He delayed negotiations and sought support from other powers, but ultimately capitulated under threat of naval blockade.

Under British pressure, Barghash bin Said signed a treaty abolishing the slave trade in Zanzibar. This ended the island's role as a major slave market, though slavery itself continued for decades. The move reduced British interference temporarily.