6. "THE 19TH CENTURY WEST AFRICA FULANI JIHADS WERE POLITICAL MOVEMENTS IN THE GUISE OF RELIGION" DISCUSS

Approach
• The candidates ought to exhibit coherent analysis of the subject matter.
• Show whether or not the Jihads were politically oriented.
• Conclude logically
The extent to which these Jihads were political includes.
1. Desire to overthrow the existing Hausa autocratic rulers indicates they were political power drive: even purely Islamic states like Bomu were overthrown.
2. States like Nupe, Illonn, Banchi and Kataguni were dominated by the Fulani therefore they wanted to use the religious covers to assume political power.
3. The Jihad leaders ended up building large political and economic empires
for themselves e.g. Uthrnan Dan Fodio created Sokoto Caliphate, Alhaji Umar established a huge Tukalor empire, Ahmed Bello Macina state and Samouri Toure of Mandika states.
4. The Jihad leaders allowed Pagan practices in the states which they created and ruled. In some states after they had declared themselves as Emirs, they forgot the duty of spreading Islamic faith; others like Ahmed Bello began to tax those who wanted to get converted into Islam.
5. Sometimes there a rose disagreement among the Jihad leaders which led to internal fighting e.g. Macina Jihadists fought those of Tukolar thus they lacked common aim of religious revival.
6. Alhajji Umar of Tukolar allied with a pagan leader Segn who was a traditionalist against Mecina, later sought French military assistance against his neighbouring rival Samoure Toure who was also a Jihad leader.
7. The mode of protecting the Jihad leaders, construction of walls around their towns and palaces rules out the faith they claimed to have.
8. The use of poisonous arrows as weapons to fight the Jihads and not the Koran also rulers out the religious element in the Jihads.
9. They fought against the poor judicial system.
10. They condemned forced conscription of the Moslems into the army.
11. They were driven by forces of nationalism.
Economic Consideration
12. The Jihads were also economic in the guise of religion.
13. The Fulani merchants condemned the Hausa autocrats who were a threat to their trade and commerce with heavy taxation especially on cattle. Thus they aimed at promoting a favourable atmosphere for trade and commerce in Western Sudan.
14. They also wanted to acquire political power to ensure security of their wealth.
15. They also condemned the Hausa alienation of their land
16. They also detested the enslavement of Moslems.
Social Consideration
17. Most people in western Sudan joined the Jihads to eliminate social injustices, taxation, slavery and corruption for example the judicial system was dishonest and it favoured the rich.
18. The Hausa rulers were so luxurious at the expense of the commoners, sacrifice of human beings etc.
19. Others joined for social benefits.
Religious Consideration
20. Purification and spread of lslam.
21. Revival of Islamic learning, education and glory.
22. Curbing corruption which was against Islam.
23. Desire to end mistreatment of the Moslems by non Muslims.
24. Establishment of Sharia (Islamic law).
25. Challenging Christianity and traditionalism.
26. The Jihads were fought in anticipation of the Messiah- Mahdi.
27. The wars were a result of the rise of Muslim fundamentalism.