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The Sokoto state's existence dates back to the 17th century when Bovil suggested that the real district may have been known as Sokoto as early as the time of the century. Sokoto state had been used for many events by different people, at different periods before it present state, which was created in 1996, as at the time Zamfara state was created by General Sanni Abacha. As at early October 1804, it was used as a meeting place with Galadima, Yunfa's Vizier by Shehu Usman Dan Fodiyo. It was also used as a staging post for an attack on Dufua in the spring of 1806, and also as a military camp or frontier in 1809, when Sheu Usman Dan Fodiyo was at Sifawa. It's being said that the state later became the capital of the caliphate after Shehu's death.
As a state with such fresh moves, and swift transitions, as at 1820, it was at its peak of prosperity with powers of the rulers at the center of the caliphate who were recieving monthly tribute from all the fiefs before a long period of decline. Sokoto States' effect on the city of being in such state of peak prosperity and powers, and it's closely settled surroundings, like the rivers, rather than long distance trade, in the city's economy impressed explorers like Hugh Clapperton (1827), and Heinrich Barth, who came to the city at 1853. Unfortunately, as at the time he came, the state was much dilapidated and thinly inhabited, although the market was still well supplied and well attended, and a buzzing suburb outside the wall was more motioning than Sokoto itself.
Following its thriving trade, as at 19th century, Sokoto was divided into 2 wards. Some of the wards are Magajin Gari ward, Magajin Rafi ward, Waziri ward, Sarkin Muslumi ward, Sarkin Adar ward, Sarkin Zamfara ward, and so on. As at 19th century, the ward were small and surrounded with mosque of Sultan Bello and Shehu, Sultan Palace, the compound of Shehu, and other buildings.
As at 1903, the British conquest the caliphate with it's various components being made autonomous and joined into the government of Northern Nigeria. Thus, the northern region was made up of mainly parts of the Sokoto Caliphate and Kanem - Bornu Empire. The recent Sokoto has been the home of many empires and kingdoms of the pre-colonial western Sudan, which include the Gobir and Kebbi Kingdoms, and the world famous caliphate whose spiritual and political capital is the headquarter of the state, and as at January 1967, Sokoto became the headquarters of the north-western when General Yakubu Gowon created states to replace regional governments, and following the creation of Niger state out of the North-western state, Sokoto state emerged with its headquarters. Although some states were carved out of the state, like the Zamfara and Kebbi state in 1991 and 1996 respectively, Sokoto city still remains the capital of various governments since it's establishment by Caliph Muhammad Bello in 1809.
The Sokoto city (headquarters of the caliphate) was first built in paper, and then built by Muhammad Bello, after a successful jihad conquest which was led by Shehu Usman Dan Fodiyo (1804-1808). Bello is the son of the sheikh who was among his father's lieutenant and war commanders, and fought the hardest and longest wars, including the war of the conquest of the jihadists. The Sokoto state also known as 'Sakkwato, Birnin Shaihu da Bello' or 'Sokoto, capital of Shaihu and Bello' consisted of all the features of any modern city including roads, bridges, ganuwa( fortification round centers of the town), as well as trade, commercial, and administrative centers, like Dogarawa, Galadanci, Alkalanci, Kanwuri, Binanchi, Marina, Siriddawa, Makera, Madinka, Takalmawa, Runji, Jirgawa, and the popular central market known as Yardole, to mention a few were all designed by Muhammad Bello, with strong points like Kofar Dudaye, Kofar Aliyu Jedo, Kofar Taramniya, Kofar Market, Kofar Rini, and Kofar Kware. This important development attracted many people to migrate from their locality to the city for survival. The state witnessed more and more immigrants with interest in blacksmithing leather works, pottery, etc. Some of this people either engage in the business of blacksmithing or in other related business as in Makera Asada. That is why you did see Hausas in other part of the country buying damaged iron materials like damaged vehicles, lories, cars, aircraft, etc. Iron pipes and oil tanks in order to break them into pieces and sell them to anybody who wants to use them or modify them into another product. All these cannot be achieved without ganuwa as no Hausa land could develop into an urban center without effective fortification.
The Sokoto state is now the modern day capital of Sokoto state. It is a major city located in the extreme northwest of Nigeria, dominating the lowland where there is the confluence of the Sokoto River and Rima River, with a population of people over 427,670, as at 2006. The city is predominantly Muslims and an important seat of Islamic learning in Nigeria. The Stan who heads the caliphate is effectively the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims. The state has 23 Local Government Areas which are: Binji, Bodinga, Dange-shuni, Gada, Goronyo, Gudu, Gawabawa, Illela, Isa, Kware, Kebbe, Rabah, Sabon-Birni, Shagari, Silame, Sokoto-North, Sokoto-South, Tambuwal, Tangaza, Tureta, Wamakko, Wurno, and Yabo.
Attractive Sights in Sokoto state are: Waziri Junaidu History & Culture Museumr, Suramek, Akalawal, Sultan of Sokoto Palacem, Tomb of Usman Dan Fodiyo, Sokoto Museumr, Heritage Museumi, Gilbadi rocks, Shehu Kangiwa Square, and Goronyo dam, to mention a few.
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