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The elder daughter of Bakwa Turunku, who founded the Zazzau Kingdom in 1536, Queen Amina came to power between 1588 and 1589 A.D. Unlike her younger sister, Zariya (from whom the city of Zaria derives its name), Amina is generally remembered for her fierce military exploits. Many wars she fought, and all she won. And through her conquests, she expanded the area under her reign southward to the great River Niger - including Idah and Nupeland - and up the Kano on the north.
A brilliant military strategist, Amina erected great walled camps during her various campaigns, and is generally credited with the building of the famous Zaria wall. She is today remembered - by some fondly, by others less so - as "Amina, Yar Bakwa ta san rana", meaning "Amina, daughter of Nikatau, a woman as capable as a man".