Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous archipelago off the east coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. It consists mainly of two large islands, Unguja (commonly called Zanzibar Island) and Pemba, along with smaller islets. Historically, Zanzibar was a major trading hub linking Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Its economy and culture were shaped by trade in spices, ivory, and enslaved people, leading to a diverse population with African, Arab, Persian, and Indian influences. Today, it is known for its cultural heritage, especially in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Zanzibar became a sultanate largely due to the expansion of the Oman empire. In the late 17th and early 19th centuries, Omani rulers took control of the East African coast, including Zanzibar. Under Said bin Sultan, the capital of the Omani empire was even moved to Zanzibar in the 1830s, reflecting its economic importance. The island’s plantations—especially cloves—relied heavily on enslaved labor, and Arab elites dominated political and economic power. After Said bin Sultan’s death, Zanzibar and Oman split into separate sultanates, leaving Zanzibar ruled by an Arab sultanate that governed a largely African population.

The Zanzibar Revolution occurred in January 1964, when African revolutionaries overthrew the Arab-led sultanate. The uprising was driven by long-standing inequalities: the Arab minority held political and economic power, while the African majority faced discrimination and limited rights. During and after the revolution, widespread violence broke out, and thousands of Arabs and South Asians (often referred to as Indians in this context) were killed or forced to flee. This period is sometimes described as a massacre, though estimates of casualties vary widely and remain debated among historians. The revolution led to the establishment of a new government and shortly afterward to Zanzibar’s union with Tanganyika, forming modern Tanzania.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_of_Arabs_during_the_Zanzibar_Revolution