The head of the districts in the Hausa/Fulani Empire were the_________

Analyze the question: It asks for the title of the official who headed a district in the Hausa/Fulani (Sokoto Caliphate) political system.

Concept: The Sokoto Caliphate was divided into emirates, each ruled by an Emir who answered to the Sultan of Sokoto (and, for the western parts, the Emir of Gwandu). Each emirate was subdivided into districts, and each district was supervised by a Hakimi (plural Hakimai). The Hakimi was often a titled nobleman appointed by the Emir, usually living in the capital and sending agents (Jekadu) to collect taxes (kharaji and jangali). Below the Hakimi were village heads (Dagaci).

Going through the options:

• A. Emirs of Gwandu and Sokoto: These were the top leaders of the Caliphate, not district heads. The Sultan of Sokoto ruled the east and the Emir of Gwandu the west.
• B. Galadima: This was a title for a senior official in the emir's council, often the Emir's chief adviser and administrator of the capital. It was not the general title for the head of a district.
• C. Hakimi: This was the district head, in charge of tax collection and administration in the district. ✔
• D. Sarkin Ruwa: This means "chief of the waters" and was the head of fishing and water matters. It was not a district head.

Answer: The head of a district was the Hakimi, which is option C.

Tip: Remember the hierarchy from top to bottom: Sultan → Emir → Hakimi (district) → Dagaci (village). Think "Hakimi = Head of a district," since both begin with H.