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British conquest · February–July 1903

The conquest of the Sokoto Caliphate

Frederick Lugard’s West African Frontier Force marched north from Zungeru and Zaria, took Kano in February 1903 and defeated the Caliph’s army outside Sokoto in March.

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Overview

Frederick Lugard’s West African Frontier Force marched north from Zungeru and Zaria, took Kano in February 1903 and defeated the Caliph’s army outside Sokoto in March. Caliph Attahiru I led a hijra of thousands eastward and was killed at Burmi in July; many of his followers went on to the Sudan.[1],[2],[3]High confidence

Who took part

What happened

  1. February 1903 · Kano

    Kano taken

    Kano falls after its walls are breached.

  2. March 1903 · Sokoto

    Sokoto

    The Caliph’s army is defeated outside the city, which is occupied.

  3. July 1903 · Burmi (approximate)

    Burmi

    Attahiru I is killed with many of his followers.

Kingdoms involved

Sources

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

  1. Wikipedia contributors. Battle of Sokoto (cited elsewhere, not yet checked directly)
  2. Wikipedia contributors. Battle of Burmi (cited elsewhere, not yet checked directly)
  3. Last, Murray. (1967). The Sokoto Caliphate. Longmans, London (cited elsewhere, not yet checked directly)