The battle of Ulundi

The British army in 1879 was small and professional. Men enlisted for twelve years of service (with the option of re-enlisting for a further nine), and had to be between eighteen and twenty-five years old, fit and unmarried. Their pay compared favourably with labourers' wages. Privates were the lowest and most numerous rank. Above them came the NCOs (non-commissioned officers), rising through corporal, sergeant to colour- or staff-sergeant. The Zulu army was not a professional one as was the British. Almost all Zulu men served in it, but only for part of their time. The Zulu military system was based on the ibutho, or age-grade regiment.