# Ali I Gaji - Mai, founder of Ngazargamu

URL: https://allhistories.com/nigeria/rulers/ali-i-gaji
Term: 1470–1503
Number in the list: 13
Born-Died:  - 1503
Dynasty: Sayfawa
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_I_Gaji

Ali I Gaji ended the civil war between the Idrisid and Dawudid branches and founded Ngazargamu as the new capital on the Komadugu Yobe. He campaigned against Kwararafa and took tribute from Hausa states such as Kano. Sources date his reign from about 1465 to 1507; c. 1470-1503 is most common.

## Succession
- Previous in list: [Sayfawa mais of Kanem, 1259-1470 (sequence uncertain)](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/rulers/sayfawa-mais-of-kanem-1259-1470-sequence-uncertain)
- Next in list: [Idris III Katagarmabe](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/rulers/idris-iii-katagarmabe)

## Timeline events during this reign
- 1470 - [Rumfa builds the Gidan Rumfa and Kurmi market](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/timeline/1470-rumfa-builds-the-gidan-rumfa-and-kurmi-market)
- 1470 - [Songhai under Sunni Ali extends power toward Hausa lands](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/timeline/1470-songhai-under-sunni-ali-extends-power-toward-hausa-lands)
- 1472 - [Ali Gaji founds Ngazargamu as Bornu's capital](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/timeline/1472-ali-gaji-founds-ngazargamu-as-bornu-s-capital)
- 1480 - [Prince Ginuwa founds the Warri (Itsekiri) kingdom](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/timeline/1480-prince-ginuwa-founds-the-warri-itsekiri-kingdom)
- 1483 - [Ozolua becomes Oba of Benin](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/timeline/1483-ozolua-becomes-oba-of-benin)
- 1485 - [Portuguese reach Benin](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/timeline/1485-portuguese-reach-benin)
- 1490 - [Bornu defeats Kwararafa](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/timeline/1490-bornu-defeats-kwararafa)
- 1491 - [Al-Maghili visits Kano and writes for Rumfa](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/timeline/1491-al-maghili-visits-kano-and-writes-for-rumfa)
- 1493 - [Askia Muhammad seizes Songhai and presses the Sahel](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/timeline/1493-askia-muhammad-seizes-songhai-and-presses-the-sahel)
- 1499 - [Rumfa dies and the Kano throne passes on](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/timeline/1499-rumfa-dies-and-the-kano-throne-passes-on)
- 1500 - [Portuguese describe the Itsekiri kingdom of Warri](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/timeline/1500-portuguese-describe-the-itsekiri-kingdom-of-warri)