KANO

'Kano' is the administrative center of the Kano State and the third largest city in Nigeria, in terms of geographical size, after Ibadan and Lagos. In population, it is the second most populous city (with a population of 3,848,885) in the country, only beaten by Lagos.

Contents

History

Early history

Modern history

Layout and geography

References

External links

History

Early history

The city of Kano was founded around the year 1000 as an independent Hausa city-state. Kano remained a leading independent emirate or kingdom until the creation of the Nigerian nation state in 1903. Kano grew to be a prosperous centre for trans-Saharan trade in gold, leather, ivory, salt and slaves, perhaps reaching the height of its wealth and power in the 14th century, when Islam gained a growing following. By the 15th century the first Central Mosque had been erected in the city.
Muhammad Rumfa ascended to the throne in 1463 and reigned until 1499. During his reign, he reformed the city, expanded the Sahelian Gidan Rumfa (Emir's Palace), and played a role in the further Islamization of the city, Caravans Across the Desert: Marketplace as he urged prominent residents to convert. 50 Greatest Africans - Sarki Muhammad Rumfa & Emperor Semamun
According to the Kano Chronicle, the thirty-seventh Sarkin Kano (King of Kano) was Mohammed Sharef (1703–1731). His successor, Kumbari dan Sharefa, (1731–1743) engaged in major battles with neighbouring Sokoto.

Modern history

At the beginning of the 19th century, Fulani Islamic leader Usman dan Fodio led a jihad against Kano, removing its Hausa Emir and reforming the government and religious authority. Brief History of Kano 999 to 2003 Since then the Fulani Emirs have remained traditional leaders of Kano. Kano: Nigeria's ancient city-state The current Emir, Ado Bayero has been on the throne since 1963.
British forces captured Kano in 1903 and made the administrative centre of Northern Nigeria. It was replaced as the centre of government by Kaduna, and only regained administrative significance with the creation of Kano State following Nigerian independence.
Christians and followers of other non-Muslim religions form a small part of the population, and traditionally lived in the Sabon Gari, or Foreign Quarter. In the 1970s, the 1980s, and again in 2001 there were inter-religious riots in which hundreds are reported to have died - most recently over the introduction of Islamic sharia law.

Layout and geography

1850 steel engraving of Kano

Kano is situated at . "The Fallingrain.com Gazetteer" It has long been the economic centre of northern Nigeria, and a centre for the production and export of groundnuts. Kano houses the Bayero University and a railway station with trains to Lagos routed through Kaduna, while Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport lies nearby.
Formerly walled, most of the gates to the Old City survive. The Old City houses the vast Kurmi Market, known for its crafts, while old dye pits – still in use – lie nearby. Also in the Old City are the Emir's Palace, the Great Mosque of Kano, and the Gidan Makama Mosque. The Gida Dan Hausa house is another architecturally notable building.
Because Kano is north of the rail junction at Kaduna, it has equal access to the seaports at Lagos and Port Harcourt.

References

1. "The World Gazetteer"

External links

★ Kano Online

★ Kano Britannica Student Encyclopedia