Battle of Tabkin Kwatto

Tabkin Kwatto (lit. 'Battle of Kwatto') was the first decisive battle in the Fulani War. Abdullahi Ibn Fodio and Umaru al Kammu engaged the numerically superior Gobir cavalry at Kwatto Lake near the Capital fort of Gobir; Alkalawa. The Fulani archers employed a square formation which they successfully defended against successive charges by the Gobir cavalry. After taking severe losses, the death of the commander of Gobir's Armoured Cavalry eventually sealed the fate of the Gobirawa.[2]

Tabkin Kwatto
Part of Fulani War
Date21 June 1804
Location
Lake Kwatto, Gobir
Result Decisive Sokoto victory
Belligerents
Gobir
Kel Gress Tuaregs
Sullubawa Fulanis		 Sokoto Caliphate
Agali and Adar Tuaregs
Commanders and leaders
Yunfa Abdullahi dan Fodio
Ali Jedo
Muhammad Bello
Strength
8000 Infantry,
2000 Cavalry [1]		 1000 archers,
25 Cavalry [1]
Casualties and losses
3000 Infantry,
1500 Cavalry [1]		 ???

Tabkin Kwatto is remembered as the turning point in the history of the Fulani War. The archer-foot lightly armed Fulani proved themselves effective against the well armed Hausa cavalry.

References
  1. [Infaq al Maisur- Muhammad Bello]
  2. Last, Murray (1967). The Sokoto Caliphate. Internet Archive. [New York] Humanities Press. pp. 30–40.
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