Kingdom of Kebbi
Kingdom of Kebbi | |||||||||
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Map of western Hausaland in 1760 | |||||||||
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| Government | Sarauta | ||||||||
| Kanta | |||||||||
• 1516–1561 | Muhammadu Kanta (first) | ||||||||
• 1826–1827 | Samaila II Karari (last) | ||||||||
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| Today part of | |||||||||
The Kingdom of Kebbi (Hausa: Masarautar Kebbi) was a Hausa kingdom in what is now northwestern Nigeria.
The history of Kebbi is usually traced from the mid-16th century, when after a successful revolt against the Songhai Empire, Kanta Kotal established the Kingdom of Kebbi on the western edges of Hausaland.
Through Kanta's expansionist campaigns, Kebbi grew into a small but formidable empire. By the end of his reign, Kebbi had conquered vast territories and exacted tributes from much of Hausaland. However, its succeeding rulers were unable to retain this influence, and by the mid 17th century, it ceased to be a great power. By the early 18th century, its tributaries Gobir and Zamfara successfully revolted and secured their full independence, further reducing Kebbi's influence and prestige. Yet, Kebbi remained one of the leading states in Hausaland at the turn of the 19th century.
Following the outbreak of the Sokoto Jihad, the jihadists under Abdullahi dan Fodio invaded Kebbi and captured its capital, Birnin Kebbi. Abdullahi then established the Gwandu Emirate under the Sokoto Caliphate, annexing much of the kingdom’s territory. However, Gwandu was unable to fully subjugate the Kebbawa, who continued their resistance, first under the ousted sarki Muhammadu Hodi, and later under his successor, Karari, who founded Argungu as the kingdom's traditional successor.