British Colonisation of Northern Nigeria, 1897-1914: A Reinterpretation of Colonial Sources

by Mahmud Modibbo Tukur, Michael J. Watts (Introduction)

Overview

"In this densely detailed and interpretatively nuanced study, Mahmud Modibbo Tukur lays bare the very foundations of the colonial state in what is now northern Nigeria. This is a must read for anyone wanting to understand the foundations of contemporary Nigeria and how we came to be what we are."—Prof. Abdul Raufu Mustapha, U. of Oxford, UK Author Tukur's analysis of official colonial records and sources constitutes a significant contribution to the literature on colonialism in Africa, and to understanding the complexity of the Nigerian situation today. His work challenges fundamental assumptions and conclusions about European colonialism in Africa, especially British colonialism in northern Nigeria. Contrary to the "pacification" and minimal violence argued by some scholars, the study has exposed the violent and bloody nature of that occupation. Rather than the single story of "Indirect rule" or "abolishing slavery" and lifting the burden of precolonial taxation which others have argued, this book has shown that British officials were very much in evidence, imposed numerous and heavier taxes collected with great efficiency and ruthlessness, and ignored the health and welfare of the people in famines and health epidemics which ravaged parts of northern Nigeria during the period. British economic and social policies, such as blocking access to western education for the masses in most parts of northern Nigeria, did not bring about development but its antithesis of retrogression and stagnation. *** "A successful counter-thesis, the book is a definitive study for understanding colonial Nigeria. The book also contains a eulogy to its late author (d. 1988), a foreword that points to the violent and exploitative nature of British rule, and an impressive introduction that sets the book within a broad historiographical canvas, and that regards the totality of the contributions as 'pathbreaking.' Highly recommended." —Choice, Vol. 54, No. 10, June 2017*****Chosen as an Outstanding Academic Title for 2017 by Choice Magazine!! [Subject: African Studies, History]

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9782359260472
Publisher:	Amalion Publishing
Publication date:	07/31/2016
Pages:	576
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.80(d)

About the Author

Mahmud Modibbo Tukur (1944-1988), distinguished scholar and inspiring teacher of history, was head of the Department of History and Dean of the Faculty of Arts end Social Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. An activist and trade unionist who, as National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities in Nigeria, was at the forefront of struggles for academic freedom and improved infrastructure in the nation's institutions of higher learning.

Table of Contents

Tables x

Maps x

Illustrations xi

Preface xiii

Foreword xvii

Acknowledgements xx

Abstract xxiii

Abbreviations xxv

A Glossary of Non-English Words xxvi

Introduction: Laying the Foundations of the Colonial State in Northern Nigeria - Mahmud Modibbo Tukur's Contribution to Nigerian Historiography Michael J. Watts xxxv

1 Resistance and Surrender to British Invasion, 1897-1903 1

Introduction 1

Conditions in Bida, Ilorin, Agaye, Lapai and Kontagora Emirates at the Time of British Invasion, 1895-1901 2

The Impact of the British Defeat of Bida 3

Resistance and Surrender by Ilorin, 1897 4

Resistance by Yola 5

Non-Resistance by Muri, Bauchi, Gombe and Zaria, September 1901-April 1902 8

Resistance in Kano and Sokoto, and the Surrender of Gwandu and Katsina, February-March 1903 17

An Exceptional Situation in Borno 32

Conclusion 39

2 The Nature of the British Occupation and Its Immediate Impact 41

Introduction 41

The Conquest of Bida and Ilorin 42

The Occupation of Agaye and Lapai 43

The Occupation of Kontagora and Bida 45

The Occupation of Yola 47

The Pursuit of the Sarkin Musulmi and the Battle of Bormi 49

The Occupation of Bauchi 53

British Violence against Non-Muslim Communities 56

"Unofficial" Violence by Mercenaries 62

Criminals Come to Their Own 64

Attitudes Towards the Sarkin Musulmi's Hijra 67

The Wholesale Deposition of Emirs and Chiefs 70

Disarming the Emirs 73

The Territorial Implications of British Conquest 74

Abolition of the Office of Sarkin Musulmi 80

Erection of Tariff Barriers Between the Emirates 90

Conclusion 91

3 Relations Between the New Emirs and the British 95

Introduction 95

Abuja, Bauchi, Keffi, Ilorin and Nassarawa 96

Borno 100

Gwandu, Kano, Katsina, Yola and Zaria 105

Attitudes Towards the British-Appointed Emirs 119

Popular Hostility Towards the British 124

Conclusion 129

4 The Extension of British Administrative Control to the Small Towns and Villages of the Emirates 131

Introduction 131

Precolonial Local Government Versus British Aims 131

The Formation of Homologous Districts 134

Resident District Heads 141

Duties of District Heads and Basis for Assessing Them 143

Qualification for District Headship 144

Grounds and Non-Grounds for Deposing District Heads 145

Relations Between the District Heads and the Residents 148

The Cost of District "Administration" 150

Conclusion 153

5 The Impact of District Reorganization 155

Introduction 155

The Creation of Redundancy 156

Relations Between Emirs and the New District Heads 161

Conciliatory Methods of Control 169

Popular Hostility Towards the Reorganization 171

Conclusion 172

6 The Establishment of the Native and Provincial Court System 173

Introduction 173

The Precolonial Judicial System of the Emirates 174

The Establishment of Native Courts 176

The Structure of Native Courts 178

The Role, Functions and Powers of the Native Courts 180

Relations Between the British and the Native Courts 185

The Methods, Forms and Degree of British Control 187

The Role of Emirs in the Native Judicial System 198

Clashes Between Emirs and Qadis 200

The Role of District Heads 202

Conclusion 204

7 The Imposition of British Taxes 205

Introduction 205

The Kurdin Kasa and the Jangali 206

The Kurdin Kasa: Basis of Assessment 219

The Fate of the Zakka 225

Other British Taxes 227

Forced Labour 236

Conclusion 246

8 The Attitudes of the Various Classes Towards British Taxation 247

Introduction 247

Grounds for Resistance to British Taxation 248

The Emirs and District Heads vis-à-vis the Kurdin Kasa and the Jangali (1903-1914) 251

The Response of the Common People to the Imposition of the Kurdin Kasa and the Jangali 259

Conclusion 276

9 Disbursement of Revenues 277

Introduction 277

The Proceeds of the Taxes 278

Allocation of Collected Revenues 280

The Native Authorities and the Allocation of Their Share of Revenues 281

The Establishment, Management and Control of Treasuries 283

Control of the Native Treasuries 284

Role and Attitude of Emirs 285

Directions of Expenditure 287

Creation and Disposal of Surplus 293

Conclusion 295

10 Changes in the Economy of the Emirates and the Influx of European Firms 297

Introduction 297

The Introduction of British Currency 298

Ousting the Maria Theresa Dollar, the German Mark and the Cowrie 300

The Subordination of the Old Economy 304

The Precolonial Economy of the Emirates 305

The Influx of European Firms 313

Increase in European Population and Expansion of Export Trade 314

The Business Methods of the Firms 317

The Example of the Niger Company in Yola 317

Relations Between the Colonial Regime and the Firms 324

Impact of the Establishment of the Firms on the Emirates' Economy 325

Conclusion 325

11 The Nature, Extent and Essence of British Social Policy in the Emirates 327

Introduction 327

The "Abolition" of Slavery 328

The Introduction of Western Education 332

Police, Prisons, etc. 340

The Cost of the Introduction of Western Education 343

The Attitude of the People of the Emirates Towards Western Education 344

The Fate of Islamic Education 348

Health and Welfare 352

Widespread Famine 353

Medical Facilities 355

Population Decline 356

Inter-communal Relations 358

Conclusion 365

General Conclusion 367

A Note on Sources 371

Notes 397

Bibliography 497

Index 517