Muhammed Bello

Muhammed Bello was born on November 3rd, 1781 to Usman dan Fodio and his third wife, Hauwa, in the village of Maratta, in the Hausa city-state of Gobir, in what is today Sokoto State in northern Nigeria. 

Muhammed Bello Age

Muhammed Bello would have been 243 years old, if he were alive today. May his soul rest in peace.

Muhammed Bello Early Life

Like all his siblings, Bello was involved in studies directed by his father in Degel until the family and some followers were exiled in 1804. In 1809, he 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 (1804-1810). Many of his siblings dedicated significant time to scholastic efforts and became well known in this regard. Notable amongst these were his sister Nana Asma’u, a poet and teacher, and Abu Bakr Atiku, who would become his successor as Sultan.

Muhammed Bello Career

Usman dan Fodio retired from administration of the state in 1815 and put his son, Bello, in charge of some of the western Emirates of the Caliphate. He Presided over this Emirates from the city of Wurno close to Sokoto. Upon the Death of Dan-Fodio, the Caliphate was thrown into disarray when the supporters of Bello encircled and sealed the gates of Sokoto, preventing other notable contenders to the office of Caliph (including Bello's uncle Abdullahi Ibn Fodio) from entering the city. The Caliphate eventually fractured into four Self-governing parts of which only the parts ruled by Bello's uncle; Abdullahi Ibn Fodio were to recognize and pay allegiance to Bello. 

During Bello's rule, El Hadj Umar Tall, future founder of the Toucouleur empire, settled in Sokoto on his return from Mecca in 1822. Umar Tall was greatly influenced by Sultan Bello as evidenced by the praise Tall lavished upon the Sultan in his own writings. To affirm a permanent alliance, Sultan Bello married one of his daughters to Hajj Umar who remained in Sokoto as a judge (qadi), and as a commanding officer in the Sultan's infantry until Bello's death. In 1836, the kingdom of Gobir revolted against Sokoto rule. Bello gathered his forces and crushed the rebellion on 9 March 1836 at the Battle of Gawakuke. While ruling, he continued with significant educational pursuits, mainly history and poetry. His Infaku'l Maisuri (The Wages of the Fortunate) is often considered a definitive history of the Fulani Wars and his father's empire.

Muhammed Bello Personal Life

Bello died at the age of 58, on October 25, 1837 in Wurno and was succeeded by his brother Abu Bakr Atiku as Sultan. He had many wives and wrote hundreds of texts on history, Islamic studies, and poetry during his lifetime.

Muhammed Bello Net Worth

His net worth is not available.

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