Colony of Natal
On the 7th of August 1824, a document ceded entire possession of the port to F. G. Farewell and Company in perpetuity. Francis Farewell had arrived with ten companions after curing Shaka of a wound and making various presents. Only Farewell and Henry Francis Fynn remained while the others returned to Cape Town. They were joined by three sailors named John Cane, Henry Ogle and Thomas Holstead. The two men declared the territory a British possession on the 27th of that same month. In 1835 settlers resolved to lay out a town they named Durban after Benjamin D'Urban. A memorial from about fifty settlers asked for a governor and council but received no official answer. Allen Francis Gardiner founded a mission station on the hill overlooking the bay in 1835. He was given authority by the British government to exercise jurisdiction over traders in 1837. Traders refused to acknowledge his authority and received no support from the Cape government.
In May 1838 the Boers took control of the port and established the Natalia Republic soon afterwards. Sir George Thomas Napier issued a proclamation on the 2nd of December 1841 declaring intent to resume British military occupation of Port Natal. Most Voortrekkers left by 1843 under military pressure. Lord Stanley wrote to Sir George Napier in April 1842 stating establishment would have little prospect of advantage yet emigrants could not be regarded as independent. Lord Stanley consented to Natal becoming a British colony in a despatch dated the 13th of December received in Cape Town on the 23rd of April 1843. Henry Cloete visited Mpande and obtained a valuable concession giving up all territory between Buffalo and Tugela rivers. On the 8th of August 1843 the Natal volksraad unanimously agreed to terms proposed by Lord Stanley. At end of 1843 there were not more than 500 Dutch families left in Natal. Martin West became lieutenant-governor at end of 1845 when effective administration was installed.
The sugar industry soon became of importance from 1860 onward when first Indian labourers reached Natal. Natives did not volunteer in sufficient numbers so recourse was had to labour from India. The first indentured labourers arrived in 1860 but at expiration of contract were allowed to settle in colony. Indians rapidly increased becoming market gardeners farmers hawkers and traders. Alone among South Africa states Natal offered welcome to Indians. By 1904 Indians outnumbered whites in Natal. Mohandas K. Gandhi arrived in Durban as early as 1893 when Indians made up almost half non-African population. In 1894 Gandhi helped establish Natal Indian Congress to fight discrimination against Indians. Farm owners struggled attracting Zulu labourers to work on plantations which led to importation of thousands of indentured labourers from India. Durban became home to largest concentration of Indians outside India as result of this policy.
In 1884 Witwatersrand Gold Rush caused considerable rush of colonists from Natal to Transvaal. Railways were still far from Transvaal border and Natal offered nearest route for prospectors from Cape Colony or Europe. Pietermaritzburg served as base from which nearly all expeditions to goldfields fitted out. Journey to De Kaap by bullock-waggon occupied about six weeks. Two years later in 1886 Rand goldfields were proclaimed and tide of trade steadily increased. Natal colonists became some earliest proprietors of mines with many largest mining companies having chief offices at Pietermaritzburg or Durban. Railway reached Ladysmith in 1886 and completed to Transvaal frontier at Charlestown in 1891. Section from Ladysmith northward opened up Dundee and Newcastle coalfields adding new industry to colony resources. Harbour works began in 1857 with piers jetties constructed and dredgers imported until 1904 when vessels of largest class enabled to enter port.
Second Boer War broke out on the 11th of October 1899 with Boer seizure of Natal train on Orange Free State border. Boer forces quickly occupied Newcastle renamed Viljoensdorp. Battle of Talana Hill occurred on the 20th of October 1899 outside Dundee where British forces under William Penn Symons defeated Boer columns but failed prevent escape due to fraudulent use of Red Cross flags. Boer forces proceeded to Ladysmith surrounding town cutting off communications from south. Siege lasted until the 28th of February 1900 when town relieved by forces under Redvers Buller. During six weeks previous to relief two hundred deaths occurred from disease alone while altogether as many as 8424 reported passed through hospitals. Relief led to evacuation of Natal by Boer forces who trekked northwards. Addition made to territory consisting portion previously included Transvaal districts transferred were Vryheid Utrecht and portion district Wakkerstroom encompassed line drawn from north-eastern corner east by Volksrust northerly direction summit Drakensberg Range passing just north town Wakkerstroom headwaters Pongola River.
In 1906 Bambatha Rebellion broke out in colony attributable ostensibly to poll tax spreading to Zululand. It suppressed by colonial forces under Colonel Duncan McKenzie aided detachment Transvaal volunteers. Bhambatha chief Greytown district deposed misconduct kidnapped regent appointed stead pursued escaped Zululand receiving considerable help. He killed battle June close July rebellion ended. Dinuzulu king Zulus accused colonists inciting rebellion protested loyalty British. Natal government convinced Dinuzulu implicated rebellious movement following series murders whites Zululand evidences continued unrest natives west Tugela. Force under Duncan McKenzie entered Zululand thereupon Dinizulu surrendered December 1907 without opposition removed Pietermaritzburg. Trial delayed November 1908 judgment given March 1909 court finding guilty minor charge harbouring rebels. Governor Matthew Nathan tour Zululand February 1908 released some 1500 prisoners taken rebellion 1906. Act passed 1905 imposing poll tax £1 all males over 18 except indentured Indians natives paying hut tax fourteen shillings year.
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Common questions
When did the Colony of Natal become a British colony?
The Colony of Natal became a British colony on the 8th of August 1843 when the Natal volksraad unanimously agreed to terms proposed by Lord Stanley. This followed a despatch dated the 13th of December received in Cape Town on the 23rd of April 1843 that consented to the establishment.
Who founded the mission station in the Colony of Natal and when was it established?
Allen Francis Gardiner founded a mission station on the hill overlooking the bay in 1835. He was given authority by the British government to exercise jurisdiction over traders in 1837 but Traders refused to acknowledge his authority.
Why were Indian labourers imported into the Colony of Natal starting from 1860?
Indian labourers were imported into the Colony of Natal because Natives did not volunteer in sufficient numbers to work on sugar plantations. The first indentured labourers arrived in 1860 and Indians rapidly increased becoming market gardeners farmers hawkers and traders.
What caused the rush of colonists from the Colony of Natal to Transvaal in 1884?
The Witwatersrand Gold Rush caused considerable rush of colonists from the Colony of Natal to Transvaal in 1884. Railways were still far from the Transvaal border and Natal offered the nearest route for prospectors from Cape Colony or Europe.
When did the Siege of Ladysmith end during the Second Boer War?
The Siege of Ladysmith ended on the 28th of February 1900 when the town was relieved by forces under Redvers Buller. During six weeks previous to relief two hundred deaths occurred from disease alone while altogether as many as 8424 reported passed through hospitals.