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Auction: 7033 - British Empire Stamps & Covers
Lot: 2038

x Zululand 1906 Bambata Rebellion The rebellion was caused by the refusal to pay a Poll Tax Bill of £1 which was levied on all unmarried male natives, followed by the murder of two members of the Natal Mounted Police on 8th February near the kraal of Bambata. On the 10th, a force was raised and this rounded up three Chiefs who were fined in cattle. This brought the first part of the rebellion to a close. Bambata was now ready and on 4th April, he ambushed a police patrol. He then recrossed the Tugela and made for Chief Sigananda´s kraal. This chief was ninety-six years old, having fought with Shaka´s impis as a boy. Several Europeans were now murdered in sporadic violence. Various forces were raised to drive the rebels from the forests into the mountains and on the 10th June Bambata´s force was trapped in the Mhome Gorge. Bambata was killed while Singananda surrendered on the 16th June. On the 19th June, a further outbreak of violence was started but the rebels were defeated on 8th July at Izinsimba. The Natal Government had refused the help of Imperial troops and this was considered to be the first campaign a British Colony had ever conducted without calling for Imperial help. The Natal Indian Congress raised a stretcher-bearer unit - the Sergeant-Major was Ghandi. There was a shortage of writing material and campaign covers are scarce. 1906 (24 May) envelope to Scotland, headed "on active service, zululand field force" and with small drawings of Zulu spears, shield etc., lightly pencilled as from Lieutenant T.M. Travis of Royston´s Horse and showing Eshowe double-ring d.s., oval-framed "T/10c" and "1d/eh"; a little soiled and creased. Photo Estimate £ 300-400 provenance: Wilson Wong, September 1996

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