Cetshwayo, Ketchwayo, or Cetewayo, c.1836-1884, king of the Zulus. Cetshwayo gained ascendancy in 1856, when he defeated in battle and killed his younger brother, who was the favorite of their father, Umpanda. On his father's death in 1872, Cetshwayo took over. He was determined to resist European advances in his territory, and in Dec., 1878, he rejected British demands that he disband his troops. The British attacked in 1879, and they ultimately utterly defeated Cetshwayo at Ulundi. After a period of exile he was reinstated (1883) in rule over part of his former territory. Discredited by his defeats in the eyes of his subjects, Cetshwayo was soon driven out of Zululand to die in exile.

(born circa 1826, near Eshowe, Zululand [S.Af.]—died Feb. 8, 1884, Eshowe) Last great king of the Zulus (r. 1872–79). Nephew of the great Shaka, Cetshwayo commanded a disciplined army of 40,000. Attacked by the British in 1879, he defeated them at Isandhlwana but lost at Ulundi. Part of his kingdom was returned in 1883, but his rivals drove him out of power.

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See Cetshwayo kaMpande