History Paper 2 Aug. /Sept. 2030

Question 3

 

    Outline any five features of the political and economic organization of the Hausa states before the 19th century.          

Observation

This was a fairly popular question among the candidates. Those who attempted it understood its demand and identified the main features and scored good marks. However, few of the candidates concentrated on political leaving behind the economic features. The elevant points which ought to have been discussed are listed below.

(i) Provision of protection against external attacks.
(ii) There were market centres.
(iii) They had a centralized system of government with the Sarki as the head of each   state.
(iv) Important matters were referred to the Sarki whose decisions were final.
(v) There was a judicial system using Islamic laws.
(vi)  Each state had a taxation system.
(vii)  Each state was divided into districts and villages.
(viii)  People engaged in agriculture and other economic activities.
(ix)   Each state had its military organization.