Umaru bin Ali
Umaru bin Ali was Sultan of Sokoto from 3 October 1881 to 25 March 1891. He succeeded Sultan Mu'azu after the latter's death in September 1881. Ali was a great grandson of Uthman dan Fodio, grandson of Muhammed Bello and son of Aliyu Babba.
Prior to becoming Sultan, Ali held the title of Sarkin Sudan and lived at a ribat in the town of Shinaka. During his reign, he mounted three expiditions. The first expeidition was a follow-up of Mu'azu's campaign against Sabon Birni while the second was against Madarunfa[1]. The third expedition mounted was against Argungu, an aftermath of a peace proposal that was rebuffed by Argungu; the commander of the expedition team was Sarkin Lifidi Lefau. However, the Kebbawa came prepared and confronted the expedition in open field, the Sokoto army was routed and Lefau killed[2].
Even though some of the expeditions were unsuccessful in capturing major towns, there were still some war booty and presents delivered to the Sultan also the Fulani Emirs continued to send presents to Sokoto. Some settlemnts were also re-organized and expanded during this period, marafa Maiturare developed Gwadabawa, a quarter north of Sokoto and brought together a commendable force. Vizier Muhammad Bukhari, Sarkin Kaya and the local ruler of Bakura expanded settlements in the eastern region of Zamfara[3].
References
- ^ Last, Murray. (1967). The Sokoto Caliphate. New York: Humanities Press. p. 124
- ^ Johnston (1967). The Fulani Empire of Sokoto. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 2015-08-16.
- ^ Last Murray. P. 125