Origins The early history of Zazzau is unclear. The most important source for the origins of Zazzau is the
Chronicle of Zaria, composed in the early 20th century and based on
oral tradition. According to tradition, the kingdom was founded by
Gunguma, a descendant of the legendary
Bayajidda. Zazzau's
regnal list dates this to 1010 CE. Amina waged a 34-year campaign against her neighbors, to expand Zazzau territory. According to tradition, she rejected many suitors when younger, and in each town she conquered would behead a man after spending the night with them. Expansion north was blocked by
Kano and
Katsina, and east by the
Jos Plateau; therefore Amina campaigned to the southeast and southwest. According to the history in the chronicle, Islam was introduced to the kingdom around 1456, but appears to have spread slowly, and pagan rituals continued until the
Fulani conquest of 1808. At several times in its history, Zazzau was subject to neighboring states such as
Songhai,
Bornu and Kwararafa.
Fulani conquest In December 1808 the kingdom was captured in the
Fulani jihad. The Hausa (Habe) ruler had escaped to
Abuja, where he established a state now known as the
Suleja Emirate, retaining his independence and the title of "Sarkin Zazzau". The ruler of the modern Zazzau Emirate also uses the title "Sarkin Zazzau" or "Sarkin Zaria". After the
jihad, the culturally similar but pastoral or nomadic
Fulani intermarried with the more settled Habe farmers, and the people of the Emirate today are generally known as
Hausa–Fulani. The government of the Zaria Emirate differed from other emirates created at this time in that offices were rarely hereditary, but were appointed based on merit or obligation. ==Rulers==