History
Surrounded by city walls 13 miles (21 km) in length, Katsina is believed to have been founded circa 1100. In pre-Islamic times Katsina's semi-divine ruler was known as the Sarki, who faced a summary death-sentence if found to be ruling incompetently. From the 17th to the 18th century, Katsina was the commercial heart of Hausaland and became the largest of the seven Hausa city-states. Katsina was conquered by the Fulani during the Fulani War in 1807, becoming subsidiary to nearby Kano. In 1903 the Emir (Abubakar dan Ibrahim) accepted British rule, which lasted until Nigerian independence from Britain in 1960. Modern day Katsina has many information technology companies, providing internet access to the people of Katsina.
The city's history of western education dates back to the early 1950s when the first middle school in the whole of northern Nigeria was established. There are now several institutions of higher learning including two universities: Umaru Musa Yar'adua University and the private Katsina University. The city of Katsina is also home to a famous 18th century mosque featuring the Gobarau Minaret, a 50 foot tower made from mud and palm branches.
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