Cetchewayo, Chief (d. 1884). Cetchewayo was the eldest son of the longest reigning Zulu paramount chief Mpande. He came to power in the winter of 1872-3, and like Shaka before him, was a military innovator introducing new tactics and procuring firearms. Cetchewayo did not want war against the British in 1879 (see Zulu war) but was left with little option, and despite a crushing success at Isandlwana, his army was destroyed at Ulundi. Captured, he was sent to England and fêted by society before being allowed to return to a divided Zululand in 1883. Grossly fat and fleeing for his life from civil war, he died at the British magistracy at Eshowe.
— John Buckley
