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Kingdom of Taqali | |
|---|---|
| 1750–1969 | |
| Capital | Abbasiyya Keraia (Pre 1929) |
| Common languages | Tegali |
| Makk of Taqali | |
| History | |
• Decline of theKingdom of Sennar | 1750 |
• Taqali conquered by Sudanese Mahdists | 1884 |
• British defeat the Mahdists and incorporate Taqali intoAnglo-Egyptian Sudan | 1889 |
• Creation of the Republic ofSudan | 1969 |
Taqali (also spelledTegali from theTagale people) was a state ofNuba peoples that existed in theNuba Mountains, in modern-day central Sudan.[1][2] It is believed to have been founded in the eighteenth century, though oral traditions suggest it was established two centuries earlier. Due in part to its geographic position on a plateau surrounded by desert, Taqali was able to maintain its independence for some 130 years despite the presence of hostile neighbors. It was conquered by Sudanese Mahdists in 1884 and restored as a Britishclient state in 1889. Its administrative power ended with the1969 Sudanese coup, though the Makk of Taqali, its traditional leader, retains ceremonial power in the region.
The Taqali state was centered upon the Taqali Massif, the highest part of theNuba Hills in theKordofan region (of what is now centralSudan).[3] Its early history is unclear. Oral traditions state that it was founded in the early sixteenth century when theKingdom of Sennar was established. However, some scholars believe the state did not exist until the late eighteenth century (between 1750 and 1780) and that the early rulers (noted on the list of monarchs) are semi-mythological.[4]
Historian Janet J. Ewald argued that the first true ruler of Taqali was Muhammad Wad Jayli.[4] Ewald proposed that Wad Jayli, along with his son, Ismail of Qaqali, founded the state. Ewald contends the state of Taqali was formed during a period of disorder in the Kordofan when the Kingdom of Sennar was in decline andDarfur was growing in power. Muhammad Wad Jayli began uniting the region and was succeeded asMakk by his brother Umar. Umar was overthrownc. 1783 by Ajaid, the queen mother, and Muhammad's son, Ismail. The state was further expanded by Ismail who took control of the "99 hills" of the region. His sonAbakr peacefully succeeded him in 1800.
Despite its relatively small size and powerful neighbors, the Taqali state remained independent. The state was centered on the Taqali Massif and spread to encompassed all of theNuba Mountains. These highlands were well-suited to agriculture while the surrounding Kordofan plain was dry and inhospitable, which made it difficult to support an invading army. The rocky terrain also served as a natural fortification. The neighboring Kingdom of Sennar posed the greatest threat and was appeased by annual payments from Taqali.[5] Sennar adhered to this arrangement until theEgyptian invasion of Sennar in 1821. The Egyptians then launched three failed invasions against Taqali. An agreement was reached with Egypt that Taqali would remainde facto independent but would pay a nominal tax and be officially incorporated into EgyptianSudan. Egypt and other outside powers attempted to influence the leadership of Taqali, which was plagued by succession conflicts from 1840 to 1880.
In 1883 the Mahdist Sudanese (who were in the midst of theMahdist War with Egypt) decided to invade Taqali. Their campaign advanced further than any previous attempt. In July 1884 the ruler of Taqali, Makk Adam, was captured by the Mahdists and eventually died in captivity. Insurrections continued in Taqali, and Hamdan Abu Anja, a nearby Sudanese ruler, was dispatched to quell the rebellion. This resulted in more pillaging and destruction in Taqali.[6] The state was then conquered by the forces of the self-proclaimedMahdi,Muhammad Ahmad, in the late 19th century. In conjunction with other campaigns and revolts in Egyptian Sudan, this resulted in the formation ofMahdist State.
In 1889 the Mahdists were defeated by the British, who formedAnglo-Egyptian Sudan. The Makk of Taqali was restored to power but remained closely controlled by the British. The Makks of Taqali proved to be useful allies and the British gradually gave them more territory to control and administer. This continued through to the independence of Sudan in 1956. The administrative power of the state ended with the1969 coup. Though having no political power, the Makk of Taqali remains a ceremonial leader to the people of the region.[5]
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The title of the ruler of Taqali wasMakk (orMek, "king"), possibly Arabic but more likely an Arabized word ofMerotici or,Ge'ez origin. The tributaries of the Makk of Taqali were known asmukūk al-ʿāda (sing.make al-ʿāda), "customary kings". In Taqali, the son of a makk was awad al-makk (pl.awlād al-makk), and the son of a daughter of the makk was anarbāb (pl.arābīb). The arābīb were usually prominent councils of the makk, while the arābīb al-thamāniyya (eight arābīb) were a special council that met in the palace. An arbāb could sometimes pass his rank to his sons. Likewise, the title ofwad was sometimes bestowed on trusted slaves or servants. Allawlād were eligible to be elected as makk. Awad who was given a territory from which to draw revenue was anahl al-ṭāqīyah, one who wore theṭāqīyah, a headdress associated with the rule.
A woman who bore a son to the makk was known as anartiyya (pl.artiyyāt), a term not of Arabic origin. They attained the highest rank among the women of the royal household, each supervising her household ofsurriyyat (concubines) andkhaddama (maidservants).
The following is a list of the sovereigns of Taqali and the period of their reigns. Note that those before Muhammad wad Jali are disputed.[4]
