The Zulu War took place in 1879 between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom in present-day South Africa. The conflict arose from British expansionist policies and disputes over land and sovereignty. The war is notable for the British defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana, where Zulu forces achieved a significant victory against a well-armed British army. The war included several key battles, such as the Battle of Rorke's Drift, where a small British garrison successfully defended against a much larger Zulu force. Ultimately, the British regrouped and defeated the Zulus, leading to the annexation of the Zulu Kingdom and significant changes in the region's political landscape.