Fall of the Sokoto Caliphate

 


In 1902, under Caliph Abderrahman Dan Abi Bakar, the British led by Lord Frederick Lugard took advantage of the disagreement between Emirs in the south of the Caliphate. The Emirs were pitted against themselves and this prevented them from having any defense against the British troops. The last Caliph, Attahiru 1, came to the throne after the death of Abderrahman Dan Abi Bakar on the 13th of October, 1902. Due to the disagreement in the south of the Caliphate, the British were able to take over parts of the Caliphate and were now ready to launch a full scale attack on the capital (Sokoto). On seeing this, Attahiru 1 put together a quick defence and was ready to fight off the British, but unfortunately, the British who had superior fire power prevailed.

Upon the defeat, Attahiru I and many of his followers fled the capital (Sokoto) on what Attahiru I described as "hijra" to await "Mahdi". On March 13th 1903, the Caliphate conceded to the British. Lord Lugard abolished the Caliphate but retained the title "Sultan" as a symbolic position in the newly formed Northern Nigerian Protectorate. Lord Lugard also appointed Muhammad Attahiru II, the son of Attahiru I as the new sultan.



Attahiru I began travelling through the rural parts of Sokoto, pursued by British soldiers, but along the line many more people began to join him. The British were concerned about his growing force and it was all brought to an end in the Mbormi battle ground ( Near present day Gombe). Attahiru I was killed. British soldiers beheaded him then took pictures of his head and displayed it throughout Northen Nigeria to "Convince the diehards of the futility of fighting".

Attahiru I was the twelfth and last Caliph of the Sokoto Caliphate, he was of the Atiku clan, his fathers name was Ahmadu Atiku and he reigned from 13th October, 1902 till the 13th of March, 1903.

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