Tanzania / Zanzibar: Sayyid Barghash bin Said al-Busaid, Sultan of Zanzibar (r. 1870-1878), c. 1875

Sayyid Barghash bin Said Al-Busaid, GCMG, GCTE (1837 – March 26, 1888) (Arabic: برغش بن سعيد البوسعيد‎), son of Said bin Sultan, was the second Sultan of Zanzibar. Barghash ruled Zanzibar from October 7, 1870 to March 26, 1888. Barghash is credited with building much of the infrastructure of Stone Town, including piped water, public baths, a police force, roads, parks, hospitals and large administrative buildings such as the Bait el-Ajaib (House of Wonders).

Barghash was perhaps the last Sultan to maintain a measure of true independence from European control. He did consult with European 'advisors' who had immense influence, but he was still the central figure they wrestled to control. He crossed wits with diplomats from Britain, America, Germany, France and Portugal and was often able to play one country off another in a skillful endgame of pre-colonial chess.

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