147 years ago today, January 22, 1878 (December 20, 1877 in the lunar calendar), Zulu defeated the British army in the Battle of Isandwana. The Zulu people are a ethnic group in Africa with a population of approximately 11 million. They mainly live in KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa. The language spoken by the Zulu people is isiZulu, which evolved from Bantu (Bantu is a subgroup of Nguni). The Zulu Kingdom was an important player in the history of South Africa in the 19th century. Under apartheid, Zulu people were classified as second-class citizens and suffered severe discrimination. In today's South Africa, the Zulu are the most populous race and enjoy the same rights as other South Africans. On December 11, 1878, Henry BartleFrere, the British colonial official in South Africa, issued an ultimatum to 14 Zulu elders representing Zulu King Sechwayo. The content of the ultimatum was very harsh and unreasonable, and was immediately rejected categorically by Sechwayo. This ultimatum was specially designed for Sechwayo to refuse, creating an excuse for British aggression. On December 31, the ultimatum period expired and British troops crossed the Thukela River, officially kicking off the Anglo-Sudanese War. Early in the war, on January 22, the Zulu defeated the British army at the Battle of Isandlwana. The war continued, and finally, in the Battle of Ulundi, which broke out on July 4, Britain defeated Zulu, ending the Anglo-Zulian War. A month after the defeat, Sechwayo was arrested and banished to Cape Town. The British adopted a divide-and-rule policy and divided the Zulu country into 13 Emirates. Disputes between the Emirates were frequent, and the Zulu country fell into civil war. In 1882, Serchwayo was allowed to travel to England to meet with Queen Victoria and other important figures. This incident attracted the attention of Britain. In 1887, Britain annexed Zulu and Zulu officially became a British colony.