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Arab Renaissance, which has long been controversial, is the focus of this research project.
Sultan Barghash Bin Said (Circa 1287-1305 Hijra/AD 1870-1888) held practical views as he led his country, Zanzibar, into the Renaissance period.
This project consists of three chapters, outlining the development of the Sultan's ideas.
The first chapter deals with the abolition of the slave trade, an indispensable endeavor to liberate man from the manacles of slavery, which hindered his will and obliterated his faculties. This chapter also explores the effect of the 1873 treaty between the Sultan and Great Britain, and the consequences thereof, from the British perspective, and the obstacles which hindered its prompt application. Towards the end of the chapter, I point out the benefits that the freed slaves reaped.
The second chapter attempts to draw an exemplary impression of the progress which fascinated the Sultan In fact, this impression consists of two elements: the first lies in the significant industrial progress the Sultan witnessed in London, both civilian and military. The second impression is architectural, and whose purpose was to serve human beings and life as a whole, such as the building of the park, hospital and elderly institution.
The third chapter focuses on the reality of the Renaissance, as perceived by the Sultan, and enumerates the factors prompting the Sultan to become involved in the Renaissance. These factors are varied, some of which are cultural, psychological, political and economic; and are all inspired by the values of the period. These elements are discussed with regard to the Sultan's approach tot he project and the ways it could be achieved. In this, he relied on two complementary elements; the elevation of work and its conversion into value and the relaince on British expertise.
The Renaissance attempt in Zanzibar was thus the last of its kind before colonialism took over. |
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