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Description

A Map Prepared for the British Conquest of Northern Nigeria.

Detailed map of Nigeria and vicinity, published by W. and A.K. Johnston for the Intelligence Division, of the War Office (UK).

The map is framed by the Niger River, Benue River, and Lake Chad, providing excellent detail throughout.

Includes Railroads (completed and in progress), well defined main tracks, other routes, wells and springs.

The map is comprised of a custom combination of multiple sheets from the Ordnance Survey 1:1,000,000 mapping of Africa.

The Northern Nigeria Protectorate

The map covers much of the area that, at the time, was known as the Northern Nigeria Protectorate. This protectorate of the British Empire was created in 1900 after the Royal Niger Company's charter was revoked by the British Government.  The Royal Niger Company was given some lucrative mining rights as well as a cash payment to cede territorial claims to the British Government.

Lokoja was the capital of the Protectorate until the role was shifted to Zungeru, the northernmost city accessible by river at the time.

This map was surely prepared as part of the 1902-1907 fighting in the protectorate as the British sought to defeat and subjugate the remaining African kingdoms, caliphates, and emirates. The remnants of the Bornu Empire were conquered in 1902 and the Sokoto Caliphate and the Kano Emirate were taken over in 1903. Fighting continued in 1904 in Bassa. In 1906 a large Mahdist revolution began outside of the city of Sokoto in the village of Satiru, a combined force of the British and the British-appointed Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Attahiru II, destroyed the town and killed most residents involved. After 1907 there were fewer revolts and use of military force by the British and the focus of the High Commissioner turned toward taxation and administration.

Condition Description
Dissected and laid on linen, with original slip case.