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War · 1512–1554

Songhai rules Katsina

Askia Muhammad, the first Askia of Songhai, conquered Katsina in 1512, and it became a vassal of Gao.

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Overview

Askia Muhammad, the first Askia of Songhai, conquered Katsina in 1512, and it became a vassal of Gao. Scholars from Timbuktu came with the conquest. Katsina won its freedom in 1554 at Karfata, where 400 horsemen of the Lipti country met a Songhai detachment of 24 riders under the Hi-Koi Ali Dudo, sent by Askia Daud. After a long and bloody fight the Katsinawa killed 15, including the Hi-Koi, and so admired the nine wounded survivors that they nursed them and sent them home, saying such men did not deserve to die.[1]High confidence

Karfata has not been located, so the battle is told but not drawn.

Who took part

  • Songhai· Attacked
  • Katsina· Defended

What happened

  1. 1512 · Katsina

    Katsina conquered

    Katsina becomes a vassal of Gao.[1]High confidence

  2. 1554

    The battle of Karfata

    400 Katsina horsemen beat 24 Songhai riders and win back the kingdom's freedom.[1]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. Kingdom of Katsina