IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY (AJHA )

E-ISSN 2579-048X
P-ISSN 2695-1851
VOL. 7 NO. 1 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56201/ajha.v7.no1.2023.pg8.20

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Political Crisis in Nupe Kingdom of Nigeria, 1800 – 1857: The Rise and Fall of Mayaki Umaru Bahaushe – The Etsu Nupe That Never Was

Sheshi T. Sidi, PhD

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Abstract

One of the fundamental outcomes of the 19th century Jihad in Nigeria, led by Usman Ibn Fodio, was the establishment of a Caliphate, Emirates and Emirate system of government in Northern Nigeria. Not less than thirteen of such Emirates were established in the area on the basis of “Islamic” principles. Each Emirate so established was led by an Emir, supported by a Council of Elders and Advisers, as well as, Traditional Title Holders. The appointment of the Emirs must be approved and endorsed by the Head of the Caliphate – the Sultan with his Headquarters at Sokoto before the division of the Caliphate into Eastern and Western parts. While Sokoto, after the division remained the Headquarters of the Eastern part, Gwandu became the capital of the Western part of the caliphate. Among the Emirates constituting the Eastern part were Rano, Kano, Zaria, Katsina, Hadejia and Bauchi, while those of the Western portion were Nupe, Kontagora, and Ilorin. This paper attempts to discuss the Emirates in Nupeland, their establishment, problems associated with their consolidation, arising from internal and intra – leadership conflicts among the Jihadists, on one hand, and between them and Indigenous Nupe rulers under Tsoede, the founder of Nupe kingdom and dynasty, on the other. It also examines the circumstances leading to the emergence of a brave and popular war commander, Mayaki Umaru Bahaushe to “usurp” or to assume the position of Etsu in the Emirate of Raba following the attendant crisis and political instability.

keywords:

Nupeland; Etsu; Mayaki Umaru Bahaushe; Emirate; Jihadists; Fulani (plural), Fulbe (single).

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