22-572: The Gidan Rumfa , sometimes called the Gidan Sarki ("Emir's house"), is the palace of the Emir of Kano . Located in the city of Kano , Kano State , Nigeria , it was originally constructed in the late 15th century, with later transformations and additions made up to the 20th century. Since the reign of Rumfa, it has continuously been the residence of the traditional authority in Kano and was retained by
44-749: A Muslim state in northern Nigeria formed in 1805 during the Fulani jihad when the Muslim Hausa -led Sultanate of Kano was deposed and replaced by a new emirate which became a vassal state of the Sokoto Caliphate . During and after the British colonial period , the powers of the emirate were steadily reduced. The emirate is preserved and integrated into modern Nigeria as the Kano Emirate Council . The Hausa Kingdom of Kano
66-457: A role in the further Islamization of the city as he urged prominent residents to convert. The Hausa state remained independent until the Fulani conquest of 1805. At the beginning of the 19th century, Fulani Islamic leader Usman dan Fodio led a jihad affecting much of northern Nigeria, leading to the emergence of the Sokoto Caliphate . Kano became the largest and most prosperous province of
88-525: A series of Ribat – Fort construction projects. Sumaila , Bunkure, Gezawa and many other stockades were elevated to the status of Ribats . These wars were not to seize until the French conquests of 1899 and the later incursions by Rabeh and Fadallah that diverted Bornoan attention from the Sokoto Caliphate . In 1903, While on a Homage visit to Sokoto, the British's Kano-Sokoto Expedition attacked Kano. It
110-614: A state in what is now Northern Nigeria . Also known as Babba and Mai Sango - The Gun User . Emerging at the end of the Basasa, his reign was marked by a series of costly wars and fortification projects that heavily militarised the erstwhile commercial Emirate. His escapades as Emir of Kano were recorded in the official historical canon of the Kano Emirate, the Tarikh Al Kano . The ballad of Ali Zaki, commemorates his reign as
132-552: Is still being debated as to whether Aliyu had been informed of the British attack before he left for Sokoto or Not. In February 1903, British forces captured Kano while Aliyu was away with the Emirate's large contingent elite cavalry. On receiving news of the Fall of Kano at Sokoto, Aliyu and the Kano cavalry embarked on a march to retake the Emirate. After three successful encounters with the British at Gusau and Zamfara, In March 1903,
154-508: Is surrounded by walls up to 15 feet high. The structure is rectangular in shape and its landscape ecology can be divided into three classifications: open spaces, gardens and living quarters/built up areas. Structures within the living quarters and built up areas include the Kofar Kudu or Southern gate, offices, mosque, Soron ingila (English hall), royal courtrooms, a primary and secondary school and living quarters. The iconic Kofar Kudu gate
176-472: The Fulani jihadists who took over traditional authority in Kano in the early 19th century. It currently has an area of 33 acres (130,000 m). Gidan Rumfa was originally built in the late 15th century on the outskirts of the town of Kano. The new building extended the reach of the town and also led to the establishment of the Kurmi market. The palace covers a space of about 33 acres and its open plan design
198-566: The Kano cavalry was ambushed at Kwatarkwashi . In the ensuing battle , Vazier Ahmadu was killed and at some point before or after that, Aliyu took to flight in a Mahadist Hijira. With the defeat of the Kano cavalry , The Wambai of Kano – Abbass surrendered to the British while the remnant of the Kano Cavalry that returned to Sokoto was integrated into the Caliphal force. Months later, Aliyu
220-524: The Sokoto Caliphate in 1896, a reinvigorated Borno sensing turmoil in the east of the Caliphate launched a daring campaign on Kano on three fronts. The Sultanate of Damagaram - a vassal state of borno, Maradi and Ningi opened simultaneous fronts in an attempt to overwhelm kano. Aliyu's defense of Kano using Explosives, Sango Muskets and other Ottoman weaponry earned him the titles Mai Sango and Zaki . His battles during this period elevated him to
242-632: The Autumn Army on a punitive expedition against the Yusufawa, with Aliyu's mother being a sister to the Caliph; the coronation of Aliyu would presumably pacify Sokoto. On August 19, 1894, Aliyu Successfully led the Yusufawa in conquering the fort of Kano; Months later Mohammed Tukur was assassinated at Guri bringing an end to the Basasa .The peace was however short. After the readmission of Kano into
SECTION 10
#1732766049174264-521: The city after heavy fight wherein the defenders sustained 70 casualties. News of the British capture of Kano in February 1903 sent the cavalry in a long march to retake the city. After successfully defeating the British in three encounters, on 27 February 1903, Ahmadu Mai Shahada, Grand Vizier of Kano, and much of the Kano cavalry was ambushed at Katarkwashi . The death of the vizier and subsequent capture and exile to Lokoja of Emir Aliyu Babba spelled
286-411: The empire. It was one of the last major slave societies. Heinrich Barth , a classical scholar who spent several years in northern Nigeria in the 1850s, estimated the percentage of slaves in Kano to be at least 50%, most of whom lived in slave villages. From 1893 until 1895, two rival claimants for the throne fought a civil war. With the help of royal slaves, Yusufu was victorious over Tukur and claimed
308-513: The field during the Basassa, the victories of his columns at Gogel and Utai placed him at an advantage when in 1894, during the Battle of Gaya; Yusuf was fatally wounded. The Sarkin-Dawakin-Tsakar-Gida Abbas and Dan-Makwayo Shehu also contenders to the throne, were forced to concede when at his death bed; Yusuf was informed of a plan by the then Caliph of Sokoto Abdurrahman Danyen Kasko to lead
330-417: The formative end of the Kano Emirate. The British made Kano an important administrative centre and kept most of the emirate's institutions in the form of the Kano Emirate Council , subject to the British crown in a newly formed state called Northern Nigeria . Emirs under Sokoto Caliphate vassalage were: Aliyu Babba Aliyu Ibn Abdullahi-Maje Karofi pronunciation was an Emir of Kano ,
352-572: The last Emir of Kano. The life of Aliyu unlike other sudanic princes at the time was one of a strict adherence to Tasswuf , according to the Tarikh al Kano , Aliyu was a strict adherent of the Qadariyyah Order and a gifted swordsman. At a young age he wrote the Rad al Jahla ; a sufist text for initiates. In 1893, shortly after the death of Emir Muhammad Bello, Sultan Abdurrahman appointed Tukur
374-542: The new Emir of Kano . Almost immediately, Aliyu's brother and reported confident Yusuf, led the remaining children of Abdullahi Maje Karofi in rebellion. This split within the House of Dabo initiated the 3rd Kano Civil War; The Basasa . The rebels left Kano for Takai and Aliyu assumed the unofficial role of Vazier, coordinating the various military formations of the Yusufawa Aliyu reportedly distinguished himself at
396-465: The rank of Kano's other warrior Kings and Emirs. The ballad of Ali Zaki; Wakar Ali Zaki , celebrating his escapades from Tygian Kano, immortalized his name and that of his courtiers like the Vazier- Ahmadu; Galadima-Mahmud, Madaki Kwairanga, Alkali-Suleman, Makama-Hamza and Sarkin-Bai- Abdussalam. Also during these campaigns, in an attempt to fortify the borders of the Emirate; Aliyu initiated
418-627: The title of emir. The British pacification campaign termed the Kano-Sokoto Expedition set off from Zaria at the end of January 1903 under the command of Colonel Thomas Morland , heading up a force of British officers and N.C.O.s and 800 African rank and file. Apart from a company of mounted infantry and a few gunners, the whole force consisted of infantry. They were supported, however, by four 75-mm. mountain guns, which could if necessary be dismantled and transported by porters, and by six machine guns. After sporadic fighting outside
440-402: The walls of the fort, the British managed to penetrate the defensive parameters of the capital. Kano was mostly left defenseless at the time. The emir, Aliyu Babba , was away with its large contingent of cavalry for the autumn campaign at Sokoto . Madakin Kano, a local noble, rallied whatever troops there were still in the city to defend it. Despite his efforts, the British successfully took over
462-573: Was based on an ancient settlement of Dala Hill . According to the Kano Chronicle , while small chiefdoms were previously present in the area, Bagauda , a grandson of the mythical hero Bayajidda , became the first king of Kano in 999, reigning until 1063. Muhammad Rumfa ascended to the throne in 1463 and reigned until 1499. During his reign he reformed the city, expanded the Sahelian Gidan Rumfa (Emir's Palace), and played
SECTION 20
#1732766049174484-530: Was built by the Emir Abdullahi Maje Karofi in the second half of the 19th century. Gidan Rumfa houses the Emir and his wives, children and aides. The population resident in the Emir's private quarters numbers up to 200, while more than a thousand individuals live within the structure. The space surrounding the structure is dominated by gardens. Kano Emirate The Kano Emirate was
#173826