Ummarun Dallaje
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Ummarun Dallaje (Ummaru of Dallaje) was the 39th Islamic Leader of Katsina, the first Fulani emir, as well as the patriarch of the Dallazawa dynasty.[1] He became Amirul Muminin after the Jihad of Shehu Usman dan Fodiyo, succeeding Magajin Haladu, the last ruler of the centuries-old Habe dynasty, which had been founded by Muhammadu Korau. Ummaru was succeeded by his son Saddiku.[2]
Ummaran Dallaje was the first Fulani emir as well as the patriarch of the Dallazawa dynasty. He was born in the town of Dallaje, approximately 50 km from Katsina, his father's name was Abdulmumini. Ummaru's grandparents migrated from the Kanem-Bornu empire and originally belonged to an Arab tribe from Ouaddai currently part of the Republic of Chad. When Ummarun’s grandparents arrived in Katsina, they first settled in a village called Makar and later moved to Dasije after which they settled at Dallaje.[2]
Education
He started studying the Qur'an at a very early age, he later traveled far and studied under several scholars including Dan Fodio. After completing his studies, he started preaching within and outside Katsina. In 1804, Shehu Usman Dan Fodio declared Jihad against the Habe rulers of Hausa Kingdoms. Among the first people to answer the Shehu's call and declare their support was Mallam Ummaru.
When jihad broke out in 1804, Malam Ummarun Dallaje who is a strong supporter of Shebu Ibn Fodio drew his support largely from the towns of Dallaje, Rugar Bade, Sabon Gari and other surrounding settlements. Shehu Usman Dan Fodio declared Jihad against the Habe rulers of Hausa Kingdoms. Among the first people to answer the Shehu's call and declare their support for Ummaru.
Attacks
At the end of 1805, Ummarun Dallaje met with a group of Jihadists which camped at ‘Yantumaki. He told them that he was sent by Muhammad Bello with a message that they should continue to fight. As a result, they started to launch expeditions in areas where support could easily be obtained. They attacked a settlement only if the inhabitants rejected their call for support. They usually announced their arrival with a call to prayer outside the town. Later, they called a meeting with the leaders of the community. At such meetings, the inhabitants were urged to revive the Sunnah and enforce the Shariah, they were called upon to support Shehu ibn fodio.
Around 1806, a meeting of Jihad Commanders from Katsina, Kano, Zazzau and other parts of Hausaland was convened at Birnin Gada. The meeting was initially scheduled to take place at Magami (Mani LG) where Shehu was to attend but because of his old age, he could not undertake the long and hazardous journey from Gwandu. Therefore, he sent Muhammadu Bello to represent him. During the meeting, Bello urged each Jihad Commander to take an oath to obey his instructions and to follow the Sunnah in everything, every time and under all circumstances. In his message, Shehu ibn fodio emphasized that Allah would make them victorious but warned them not to become corrupted like the rulers they were fighting and to avoid injustice, envy and disunity.
The Jihadists moved closer and held a siege on the Capital of Katsina by cutting off food supply to the city. This situation, coupled with the poor harvest recorded that year, forced many people to leave the town. When the situation became tense, the Sarkin Katsina fled to Dankama, and the Jihadists moved in and took over the capital. They later launched an attack on Dankama but failed to capture the town. From Dankama, the Sarki launched a counterattack on the reformers which forced them to abandon the capital and retreat to Sabon Gari. After their victory, the Sarkin Katsina did not show any interest to resettle there. He returned to Dankama where he received assistance from Sarkin Kance.
From his base at Sabon Gari, Ummarun Dallaje mapped out the next strategy to follow after his surprise defeat by Sarkin Katsina. Later, a contingent under the renown warrior Malam Muhammadu Namoda arrived from Zamfara, while others arrived from Kano and Daura. The combined contingents marched against Sarkin Katsina at Dankama where a fierce battle took place in which Sarkin Katsina Magajin Halidu and many of his chiefs were killed. His remaining forces and followers fled to Kwargom, a vassal kingdom of Zinder, where they appointed another Sarki. The Jihadists pursued and rounded them up and the Sarki fell into a well and died. The remaining supporters escaped to Damagaram where they appointed Dankasawa, the son of Tsaga-rana as their leader in order to maintain their cohesion.
After the defeat of Sarkin Katsina, the Jihadists turned their attention to the eastern part of the Kingdom where they attacked a number of towns that had not been conquered. Their first place of call was Mani where the ruler of the town known as Mani Ibrahim Arne refused to surrender to Ummarun Dallaje. In the ensuing encounter, Mani Arne was killed.