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War · 1892–1900

Rabih conquers Bornu

Rabih az-Zubayr, once a soldier of Egypt and a commander of the slaver Zubayr Pasha, led 400 men west in 1879 and built an army that crushed Bagirmi.

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Overview

Rabih az-Zubayr, once a soldier of Egypt and a commander of the slaver Zubayr Pasha, led 400 men west in 1879 and built an army that crushed Bagirmi. In 1892–1894 he conquered Bornu, burned Kukawa in May 1893 and ruled from Dikwa through a brutal tax system that ruined Bornu's farms. In 1899 he killed a French column at Togbao and hanged a French envoy. On 22 April 1900 a French army with Bagirmi allies stormed his camp at Kousséri; Rabih was shot crossing the Chari and his head taken as a trophy. The French restored the al-Kanemi shehus, and in 1902 Bornu was divided among Britain, Germany and France.[1],[2],[3],[4]High confidence

Who took part

  • Rabih az-Zubayr· Attacked
  • Bornu· Defended
  • France· Colonial force

What happened

  1. May 1893 · Kukawa

    Kukawa burned

    Rabih plunders and burns the capital; its people are killed, enslaved or scattered.[3]High confidence

  2. 1893–1900 · Dikwa

    Rabih at Dikwa

    Rabih makes Dikwa his capital.[1],[3]High confidence

  3. 22 April 1900 · Kousséri

    Kousséri

    Rabih is killed; the French commander Lamy also dies.[2]High confidence

Kingdoms involved

Sources

Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).

  1. Wikipedia contributors. Rabih az-Zubayr
  2. Wikipedia contributors. Battle of Kousséri
  3. Wikipedia contributors. Kukawa
  4. Wikipedia contributors. Dikwa Emirate