A HISTORY OF GUSAU IN THE COLONIAL PERIOD 1903-1960

This study aims to examine the colonial history of the Gusau district between 1903 and 1960. One of the districts that formed after the jihad movement of the nineteenth century in Hausa territory, commanded by the illustrious Sheikh Usmanu Danfodiyo, is the Gusau district. Around 1799, Mallam Muhammadu Sambo (Dan Ashafa), a follower of the sheikh, founded it. Gusau area only rose to prominence after Yandoto fell in 1806. 1
Gusau town gained notoriety as an important agricultural and commercial hub after it emerged as a significant community in the Sokoto Caliphate. In any case, a significant number of farmers and livestock owners, particularly Fulani who own cattle, had flocked to the town and its surroundings. 2
Gusau was an agricultural society before the advent of colonization, The Gusau’s economy was based on agriculture, and throughout this time, farming was the people’s main economic activity, with some minor additional occupations. But, like most Hausa towns, farming remained the primary activity. Builders, thatchers, butchers, blacksmiths, drummers, praise singers, etc. were all present in the area. Gusau and the area under Mallam Sambo’s jurisdiction Dan Ashafa is located in the caliphate’s urban region. Once Mallam Sambo’s headquarters moved to Gusau, the lands of Wonaka, Mada, Yandoto, Samri, Magami, Marabu, Mareri, Mutumji, Kwaren Ganuwa, Wanke, and a number of other villages came under their control, just like in other areas of the caliphate. 4
In terms of territorial management, the town was divided into five wards: Shiyar Magaji, Uban Dawaki, Galadima, Mayana, and Sarkin Fada. These wards were in addition to the fief holders in the outlying territories. The Sarkin katsina and the residents of their separate wards depended on them. They serve as Sarki’s eyes and ears. Gusau, like other Caliphate provinces, sends a portion of its income  to the caliph.5

The introduction of colonialism resulted in a number of changes and developments in Gusau’s societies. The town received colonial infrastructures like tarred roads, railroads, contemporary shops, enterprises, and modern manufacturers. Similar to this, the town’s expansion and modernisation process was supported and further enhanced by the addition of contemporary homes, offices, schools, and hospitals. 6
Yet, the colonial administration established some colonial policies that altered the structure of political administration. The Gusau region is somewhat out of date. Although it is not a division, it is handled as one politically in all spheres, giving it the status of a tourist region. They enacted a livestock tax in 1907 while in charge of the colony (Jangali). 7
Agriculture during the colonial era Agriculture, which was the backbone of the economy and was mostly carried out in Damina with the production of major crops, has remained Gusau’s primary economic activity. Gusau has economic potential and is a society that is predominately agrarian. A total of about 3469 square kilometers of land make up Gusau. A few little rocky outcrops, like the hills of Mareri and Dokau, break up the landscape where Gusau is situated. Gusau has a tropical climate that is heavily influenced by the tropical and marine masses.