Settlement during the Zulu kingdom period (c.1816–1879) has been directly linked tothe kingdom’s political system. Political organisation during the kingdom’s lifespansaw a blending of an existing chiefdom structure with new tiers of a political élite. Theking (amakosi) ruled with his council (ibandla) comprised of chiefs (izinduna) from pro-minent old chiefdoms and individuals of high hereditary rank (izilomo) to whom lesspowerful chiefs, a bureaucracy (commanders, regimental officers, tribute collectors,attendants, etc.) and homestead heads (abanumzana) were all subject.

Theibuthosystem was also impor-tant economically and socially as it linked royal towns with chiefdoms and homesteads insupport of the king, the political hierarchy and its administration. All men and womenfrom across the kingdom were organised into age-sets (amabutho) (Krige1936: 38). Menfrom different chiefdoms were formed to serve in age-set regiments atamakhandaandsome young women of femaleamabuthoworked in service to the king and his retinueat his permanent residence. Otherwise, both resided at their father’s homesteads.

The Zulu kingdom is widely regarded as the largest and most influential polity in south-eastern Africa during much of the nineteenth century (Figure 1). From the beginnings ofits formation in the late 1810s under King Shaka kaSenzangakhona to its demise as anindependent kingdom as a result of British invasion during the rule of King CetshwayokaMpande in 1879, the Zulu kingdom period straddles the pre-colonial and early colonialeras of southern Africa.

Battle movements and the disposition of the various Zulu factions between battles are clearly indicated although it is not always easy, even with the key to the maps at hand, to follow troop dispositions.

It begins with a discussion of how the overthrow of Cetshwayo had led to changes in the Zulu military organisation with the great chiefs of the former kingdom using the destruction of royal authority to raise their own amabutho. They were then able to use these amaburho against each other and particularly against the uSuthu during the civil wars.

Omer-Cooper's Zulu Aftermath serves as a useful point of departure for an examination of the origins of the Zulu kingdom. "As his conquests continued," Omer-Cooper remarks, "Shaka constructed a new type of state. Its primary purpose was to main tain an efficient fighting force completely loyal to its leader."7

e. By the time of his assassination in 1828, Shaka had forged a kingdom bounded on the north by the Phongolo river, on the south by the Thukela and in the west by the Drakensberg. He evidently succeeded as a state-builder by perfecting Dingiswayo's military innovations: replacement of the long throwing spear with the short stabbing assegai; use of the winged battle formation; creation of female age-regiments; and establishment of a hierarchy of civil and political officials subordinate to the king.10

. The Nguni option to exploit trading opportunities presumes an agricultural economy capable of sustaining the increased demand placed upon it