Zulu Emperors
1816-1839: Shaka ka Senzangakhona
-does not go mad when his mother dies
-instead continues campaigns of expansion
-diverts Boer attempt to conquer part of his kingdom
-they instead conquer the Transvaal and set up their own state there
-purges away his brothers after conspiracies and adopts as his heir nephew Umtonga
-an elder brother of Cetshwayo who in OTL got shoved out of the way
-when his general Mzilikazi breaks off and forms his own kingdom is very angry
-Shaka sends regiments up to the Transvaal and forces him out in bloody battle
-ultimately dies of infected wound
1839-1893: Umtonga ka Mpande
-handpicked by Shaka as his heir
-as old and nearing puberty
-as ruler spends much of first years stopping rebellions
-succeeds and keeps power
-with Boers having occupied Transvaal during interregnum Umtonga accepts this
-and later also cedes other land in return for supplies
-but there's brewing controversy because this is viewed as a bit much to give up
-with a rising number of rifles which, in skirmishes with Boers, go badly, decides to train
-brings in many white advisors for this purpose
-over 1840s and 50s this process goes on and Zulu army modernization continues apace
-in 1857 there's a conspiracy to overthrow Umtonga, some of these advisors are implicated
-he uses opportunity to violently purge them
-causes brief power struggle which he wins
-in 1864 goes to war with Republic of Six United South African States (Auralia) predecessor Transvaal Republic
-while it's mired in war with Bapedi
-forces Transvaal to come to terms
-eats back a lot of land afterwards
-otherwise there's a great deal of peace
-and focuses on modernizing
-in 1868 sees French Republic make outpost in Sainte-Lucie in return for money and arms
-doesn't trust the French as far has he can throw them but wants to play all European powers against one another
-and they're the "new kids" on the block
-with France's Wars > Franco-Portuguese War (1871-2) France gets outer extremity of territory
-he now sees the French getting too powerful and becomes suspicious
-in 1874 promulgates new constitution to make government more solid and acceptable, esp. in eyes of west
-in 1876-8 goes on tour of west where he is sensation and secures some level of foreign recognition
-cuts visit short when there's war in the Transvaal and hears of failed coup
-during Transvaal Revolution keeps army ready to repel any invaders
-but at the same time brings up possibility of invasion with the French
-who tell him to please shut up and give him bribes to stop that
-with French Wars > Fourth French War (1880-4) uses opportunity to make deals with the British
-to balance against French
-with end of Transvaal Revolution decides to make a new treaty with it pushing border a bit more
-in order to ensure his country's own border security now that he fears a Franco-Transvaal alliance
-also invites German and American missionaries to be active in his empire
-the latter are more successful because, having already been preached to by white missionaries, they know how to convert people better
1893-1896: Zibhebhu ka Umtonga
-old man already by the time he comes to throne
-dies soon after
1896-1929: Sihlangu ka Zibhebhu
-comes to the throne having eliminated rivals during his father's tenure
-deems the Zulu state outdated in contrast to European arms
-instead makes contracts for guns and training with the French as well as British
-also because of many arms being available after French Wars > Fifth French War (1892-5)
-founds his kraal at Kwa Sihlangu in a useful port
-as part of developing it
-in the future, kraals also posted there
-by this point Colored American Methodist missionaries are succeeding in converting the Zulu
-and though Sihlangu is not following he sees many of his wives convert
1929-1954: Phumalo ka Sihlanga
-first Christian (Methodist) emperor
-with independence of Frederica in 1951 seeks its unification with his empire
-given this needs a political process he tries to set this up
-to that end establishes a parliament and a cabinet responsible to it
-and also enacts a law code based on the British example
-and also promulgates a proposal for loose autonomy for Frederica
1954-1981: Solomon ka Phumalo
-governs over annexation of Frederica in 1965
-due to powerful economic forces connecting city with as well as precedent of Bombay with Empire of Maharashtra
-annexed with very broad autonomy