On this date in 1828 the great Zulu king and leader Shaka kaSenzangakhona was assassinated by his half-brothers Dingane and Mhlangana. Shaka Zulu was the most influential leader of the Zulu Kingdom. He was a military genius who reformed the art of war and innovated weapons that changed fighting forever in this region. At the time of his death, Shaka ruled over 250,000 people and could have more than 50,000 warriors fighting in his grand army.