Towards the end of 1878, the British colonial government in South Africa, had fears of the the Zulu nation posing as a threat to further colonial expansion. The British presented Zulu King Cetshwayo with an ultimatum, which demanded that he disband the Zulu army and the age regiment system, as well as a list of other various demands. Although under order from the colonial office in London to use good judgment, King Cetshwayo refused to comply, and the British governor felt that he was justified in ordering an invasion. In January 1879 a British force entered Zululand under the command of Lt.Gen. Lord Chelmsford.

After suffering heavy losses at the battles of Kambula and Gingingdlovu in April and May of 1879, King Cetshwayo set messengers to the British, requesting that they withdraw from Zululand. It was made clear by Chelmsford, that before any negotiations took place, Cetshwayo would have to surrender the royal cattle herd, and any Zulu firearms. Once again messengers were sent to the British by Cetshwayo, this time bearing ivory as a peace offering to inform Chelmsford that his demands could not be met.

Keen for redemption after the embarrassing and shocking defeats at Isandlwana, iNtombi Drift and Hlobane, Chelmsford and his troops advanced on the Zulu capital, Ondini. On the morning of 4 July 1879 British forces crossed the Mfolozi river at Nolela Drift. The force carried with them twelve artillery guns and two gatling guns, and consisted of five thousand one hundred and twenty four troops, including nine hundred and fifty eight black volunteers. They marched in the form of a hollow square and came to a stop on a low hill about three kilometers west of Ondini.

An estimated Zulu force of fifteen thousand warriors approached the British square. The encircling Zulu force was cut down by artillery and rifle fire, and the intended Zulu counter attack never got much closer than seventy meters. After fighting in vain for half an hour, the Zulu impis were finally forced to surrender.

The Zulus suffered a loss far worse than defeat when their symbol of nationhood was destroyed. A troop of Dragoon guards was ordered to one of the royal kraals a short distance from Umgungundlovu where one of the ancient kraals was located. At this kraal the Zulu national coil, known as the Inkata, was kept. The Inkata was a coil consisting of grass, magic substances and body parts of deceased kings, all bound with a python skin. The Inkata represented the power of the Zulu nation, and was brought out only on very special occasions.

The destruction of the Inkata was a definite indication to the Zulu people that their kingdom and their existence as a nation had come to an end. King Cetshwayo sought refuge in the Ngome forest near the present day town of Nongoma. Two months later he was captured there and exiled to the Cape. The battle of Ulundi saw the final defeat of the Zulu army and the crushing of the Zulu state, thus marking the end of the old Zulu order.

Those who were killed in the Battle of Ulundi are buried in a garden of brigth red aloes, and today white stones mark the position of the British square on the Ulundi battlefield. A picturesque domed memorial constructed of stone bears the inscription: "In memory of the brave warriors who fell here in 1879 in defense of the old Zulu order".

Nearby, visitors will find a recreation of King Cetshwayo's residence at Ondini, which was built on the exact site of the Royal capital following extensive archaeological excavation, and the discovery of the original mud and dung floors of the huts which were preserved by the fire which was set by the British.

The area also features an interpretative centre which has an interesting and informative display on the size and structure of Ondini during the reign of King Cetshwayo. Due to the immensity of the original capital only the the Royal enclosure, or isigodlo has been rebuilt. Particularly impressive is Cetshwayo's indlunkulu (the Great Hut) and from the low entrance it was possible to look half a kilometre downhill to the main entrance of the capital. The Ondini Heritage Site also houses the KwaZulu Cultural Museum with exhibits of the history and arts of the Zulu people.