15 Facts About Muhammed Bello

Muhammadu Bello was the second Caliph of Sokoto and reigned from 1817 until 1837.

Muhammed Bello was an active writer of history, poetry, and Islamic studies.

Muhammed Bello was the son and primary aide to Usman dan Fodio, the founder of the Sokoto Caliphate and the first caliph.

Muhammed Bello died on October 25,1837, and was succeeded by his brother Abu Bakr Atiku and then his son, Aliyu Babba.

Muhammed Bello's father, Usman dan Fodio, was an Islamic preacher and scholar.

Muhammed Bello was from a Torodbe family who are partly Arabs and partly Fulani as stated by Abdullahi dan Fodio, brother of Usman dan Fodio who claimed that their family are part Fulani, and part Arabs, they claimed to descent from the Arabs through Uqba, but Bello added that he was not sure if it was Uqba ibn Nafi, Uqba ibn Yasir or Uqba ibn Amir.

Muhammed Bello was born to the fourth wife of Usman dan Fodio, known as Hauwa or Inna Garka, in 1781 Similar to all his siblings, he was involved in studies directed by his father in Degel until the family and some followers were exiled in 1804.

In 1809, Muhammed Bello was responsible for the founding of Sokoto which would become the key capital for his father's conquest of Hausa lands in the Fulani War.

Muhammed Bello Presided over this Emirates from the city of Wurno close to Sokoto.

Sultan Muhammed Bello faced early challenges from dissident leaders and the aristocracy of both Fulani and Hausa populations.

For Fulani populations, who had been largely pastoral prior to this point, Muhammed Bello encourages permanent settlement around designed ribats with schools, mosques, fortifications, and other buildings.

Muhammed Bello assisted Ibrahim Dabo in defeating the forces of Dan Tunku and building significant fortresses throughout the region where Dan Tunku had drawn his power.

Sultan Muhammed Bello gathered his forces and crushed the rebellion on 9 March 1836 at the Battle of Gawakuke.

Muhammed Bello wrote hundreds of texts on history, Islamic studies, and poetry during his lifetime.

Muhammed Bello died of natural causes, at the age of 58, on October 25,1837, in Wurno and was succeeded by his brother Abu Bakr Atiku as Sultan.