The ancient Katsina City

LAMIRU MUHD B.U.K, KANO

SPS/09/GMC/00003

P.G.D. MASS COM

ONLINE ASSIGNMENT

10/9/10

1^ST STORY

THE ANCIENT KATSINA CITY

Katsina city is oldest city in Hausa land with a long history traceable before the coming of Islam, blessed with very strong leaders known as Sarakuna the plural of Sarki, who did their best to protect her territories from all angles. Some neighbouring countries or cities became so interested in attacking the city, because city became hero, famous and unchallengeable. Situated in Northern Nigeria of West Africa.

So some kings from other cities for and near lunched some attacks on her, like Gobirawa from Gobir, Nufawa from Nupe, Zazzagawa from Zazzau, Kanawa from Kano, and so forth, all were challenge and defeated by Katsina.

The city was secured and protected by fortification with a tower of Gobarau called Hassumiya, the fortification was constructed and architectured with big gates, from almost all corners of the city, for coming in and out, and also for security any one coming in or even going out must be noted seen and known by gate keeper known as Sarkin Kofa, since each gate at that time had a gate keeper appointed by Sarki. While Hassumiya Gobarau was built purposely for security too, because it was used for tracing or looking out the coming of enemies to attack the city the enemies. Katsinawa were the first people who initiated tower in whole of Hausa States and its nieghbourhood, as the proverb says: Necessity is the mother of invention. The gates of the fortification still exist thus are as fellows:

1.  Kofar Yardaka: The gate through which the colonial masters forced themselves into the city, situated near Gafai Quarters, the gate will take you out of the city to some villages such as Babbar Giga, ‘Yan shanya e.t.c.

2.  Kofar Kaura: It leads to some villages and towns such as Rimi (ta Kaura) Dandagwabro, Kankiya e.t.c up to Kano situated near Shararrarfayib Quarters.

3.  Kofar Kwaya: Situated near Tsohuwar Kasuwa leading to Katsina Polytechnic Federal College of echication to Dutsenma, Kankara Funtua e.t.c.

4.  Kofar Bai: Situated near Dusten Amare, leading to Izala Juma’ah Mosque, G.R.A up to Airport.

5.  Kofar Maruaa: Leading to government Hausa, Airport, G.R.A to some villages/towns like Makera, Dutse, Mashi e.t.c.

6.  Kofar Sauri: Situated around old Katsina Training College (KTC) later Katsina Teachers College (KTC), Government College Katsina (GCK) e.t.c.

7.  Kofar Guga: Situated near Makudawa Quarters leading to army barrack, Gidan Kwakwa (P.P.U), Radda, Jibia up to Niger Republic.

All these gates were routed toward the king/emir palace where you can see the court, offices of native authority, Police Station, central mosque, Kangiwa square e.t.c.

Katsina city was known or praised to be Dakin Kara (home of hospitality), and also known in both Islamic and Western education. Scholars such as Dan Marna, Dan Masani and Dan Takum were all from Katsina, our best leaders such as Tabawa Balewa and Ahmadu Sardauna were the product of Katsina Training College.

The city is blessed with many Schools both Primaries/Secondaries, Colleges of Educations Polytechnics and Universities.