This chapter is written by Hamidu Bobboyi and John Hunwick

Heir to a long tradition of learning and scholarly writing, Bornu retained its eminence and its independence through the nineteenth century, and to a large extent in the twentieth century as well. Though its capital Gazargamu was attacked and temporarily taken by Fulani forces in 1808, it was able to regain its independence under the able leadership of Sh. Muḥammad al-Amīn al-Kānemī, whose authority soon eclipsed that of the mais. Shorn of their f…