# Omani Takeover of Zanzibar and Queen Fatuma (1698–1699)

URL: https://allhistories.com/oman/timeline/1698-omani-takeover-of-zanzibar-and-queen-fatuma
Location: Zanzibar, Tanzania
Themes: main-event

Wikipedia's article on Zanzibar says the island came under the influence of Oman in 1698, beginning Omani settlement. The article on Fort Jesus's siege says the Omanis attacked Zanzibar after the fort fell, expelled the Portuguese settlers and captured Queen Fatuma, who had sent supplies to the fort and fled inland. Fatuma was held in Oman in exile for 12 years and was allowed to return in 1709 as an Omani vassal. Her son Hassan took the title Mwinyi Mkuu, pledged allegiance to Oman and paid tribute. Portugal had received tribute from Zanzibar's sultan after 1503 or 1504 but kept no fort or garrison there. The takeover began a connection between Oman and the Swahili coast that lasted for two and a half centuries. Swahili elites had invited Omani aristocrats to help drive out Europeans, and Omani settlers followed. Zanzibar later became the second capital of the Al Bu Said rulers under Said bin Sultan. At this point in the timeline (1698), Saif bin Sultan I, Imam (Ya'rubid) (1692 – 1711), held office as Imam of Oman in the Ya'rubid line.

## Why it matters
Zanzibar's absorption into the Omani sphere created the basis for the later Sultanate of Zanzibar. It tied East Africa's clove, ivory and slave trades to Muscat.

Ruler at the Time: [Saif bin Sultan I](https://allhistories.com/oman/rulers/saif-bin-sultan-i)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Zanzibar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zanzibar)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica — Zanzibar island Tanzania](https://www.britannica.com/place/Zanzibar-island-Tanzania)
- [Wikipedia — Siege of Fort Jesus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Fort_Jesus)