On a day like today, July 27, 1903 (that is, 123 years ago), British colonial forces killed Sultan Muhammadu Attahiru in Burmi, an event that signified the collapse of the Islamic Caliphate in Sokoto.
The Battle of Burmi, in which Sultan Muhammadu Attahiru I was killed
The Battle of Burmi was the final battle between the British colonial forces and the army of the Sokoto Caliphate. The battle came after Britain's victories at the battles of Kano and Kwatarkwashi, which forced the Sokoto fighters to retreat across northern Nigeria, eventually regrouping at Burmi. During the battle, the British army commander, Major Marsh, and the Sokoto Caliph, Muhammadu Attahiru I, were both killed.
After the British colonial forces captured the city of Sokoto on March 15, 1903, Caliph Muhammadu Attahiru fled with a large number of followers. His intention was to perform the Hijra (emigration) to Mecca rather than continue living under British rule. While attempting to evade capture by the colonial forces, the Caliph traversed numerous towns and villages, attracting followers to join his emigration. In the cities and villages he passed through, at least half of the population in those areas joined his entourage.
The British continued their pursuit to either capture Attahiru or kill him but were unable to reach him. During the pursuit, British forces killed at least 35 people who were attempting to join the Caliph's caravan. They tracked him all the way to the town of Burmi, in the Fika Emirate of present-day Gombe State, on June 13, 1903.
Burmi was under British control. However, after the British appointed a chief for the town, he refused to obey their orders, prompting them to attack the town. The attack resulted in heavy losses for the Burmi forces, with the town's chief among those killed. Despite their success, the British were unable to enter the town due to the intense arrow fire from the town's defenders. Eventually, they decided to withdraw to Bauchi "to prevent the 'enemy' from gaining a victory and annihilating them."
The British lost two soldiers killed and fifty-six wounded, while the Burmi forces suffered heavy casualties, with at least 150 people killed, and their bodies were reported to be lying scattered in front of the town's gates.
The British commander at Gujba in Borno Province, Captain Hamilton Browne, received news that Attahiru had arrived at Bima, near Gwoni, about 30 miles west of Gujba. Browne immediately left Gujba with one other officer and 51 mercenary soldiers, along with Maxim machine guns. They eventually arrived at Gwoni on May 17. Upon sighting Attahiru's camp, they opened fire with the Maxim gun and other rifles. The Caliph's followers fled across the Gongola River to the west, abandoning "all their belongings, 63 rifles and large quantities of ammunition, as well as camels, horses, and many donkeys." Attahiru retreated and headed for Burmi.
After learning of the British success, Browne returned to Gujba. At the same time, Major Barlow, a British officer, left Zaria with two other British officers and 60 mercenary soldiers. He arrived at Gombe on May 23. Upon learning of Attahiru's presence in Burmi, he set out to capture the Caliph on May 26. On May 31, Barlow and his patrol occupied the town of Ashaka on the banks of the Gongola River, but the town's defenders inflicted severe damage on them.
With this combined force, Barlow "proceeded to surround the town of Burmi without attempting to enter it by force." From June 4 onwards, Barlow implemented a siege of Burmi, "cutting off the supply of cattle and food" being sent from Bauchi. After about two weeks, the people of Burmi, enraged, came out to attack the British who had besieged the town. Eventually, they were repelled after a prolonged battle, with 18 of them killed.
The Battle
The battle began at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 27, 1903, with British forces bombarding the town of Burmi. Following the bombardment, Britain launched a frontal assault on the town, led personally by Major Charles Marsh. The Burmi forces shot him with a poisoned arrow. Marsh died approximately 20 minutes later, while fighting continued.
The British forces and the Burmi forces engaged in fierce combat. Eventually, the British overpowered the remaining defenders of Sultan Muhammadu Attahiru I and killed him. According to British reports, "the Maxim guns caused many deaths" and "over 600 people were killed" and the town was burned down. Attahiru's body was found lying beneath the corpses of 90 of his followers.
To this day, the graves of Sultan Attahiru I and Major Charles Marsh remain in Burmi, which is now a desolate, uninhabited town.