Sultan Muhammadu Bello the son of Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio became the first ruler or Sultan of the vast empire his father had put togetheraftertheJihad. He was to be the principal coordinator of the various flag bearers and their different domains in the new caliphate. When Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio died in Sokoto in 1817, Bello remained there to accomplish the task of building the headquarters of the caliphate. He also helped his uncle Sheikh Abdullahi to build the city of Gwandu, which was to become the headquarters of the Western Dominions. The western part of the vast empire came under the rulershipof SheikhAbdullahiafterSheikh UsmanDanFodio'sdeath. Muhammadu Bello was aman of wisdom and learning and he did much to increase the knowledge of hispeople. It is to his credit that during his reign, men of science andphilosopljyflocked to his court and he listened to them with interest and understanding. Bello was also a renowned man of letters anda translation of one of his works INFAKU'IL MAISURI is extant. Parts of the original versions were taken to London by the explorer Clappertor who had visited Sokoto twice during the reign of Sultan Bello. Most of the visitors to Sokoto spoke of the Sultan's kindness and generosity. Sultan Bello was also a thinker, soldier andaman of action though he found the task of consolidating his loosely connected inheritancefarfrom easy and his reign was marked by acontinous erudition struggle against revolts. Bello died afulfilled man leaving behind himalegacy of erudition and administrative machinery upon which the successive polities of many Northern provinces werefounded.
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