New Delhi, April 24 -- The Anglo-Zanzibar War between the United Kingdom and Zanzibar lasted roughly 38-45 minutes, which is much shorter than your commute to the office. It began over a succession dispute, which resulted in a British naval bombardment of the palace.

When we think of wars, we usually imagine conflicts stretching over months or even years, with prolonged battles, political negotiations, and heavy destruction. History is filled with examples such as the World Wars, which lasted for years and reshaped the global order. However, not every war followed that pattern. Some conflicts were decided within days, and one of the shortest wars in recorded history did not even last an hour.

The Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896 holds the rec...