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Sharmarke Ali Saleh was a prominent 19th-century leader, captain, and merchant from Maydh, Isaaq Sultanate. Renowned as "The African Rothschild," he was one of the wealthiest men on the African continent and wielded significant political influence, earning the title "Political Boss of the Somaliland coast." He served as the governor and ruler of the key port cities of Zeila and Berbera from 1841 to 1861. Sharmarke's reign marked a period of considerable prosperity and power for these cities, making him a dominant figure in the region.
In 1841, Sharmarke made a strategic move to seize control of Zeila. He chartered two dhows and gathered fifty Somali Matchlock men and two cannons to overthrow the Arab Governor, Syed Mohammed Al Barr. The sight and sound of Sharmarke's cannons caused Al Barr's followers to flee, allowing Sharmarke to take over as the ruler of Zeila.
The cannons today
Under his leadership, Zeila quickly transformed as he sought to monopolize regional trade, extending his influence to Harar and beyond.
Sharmarke's tenure as governor saw his trading ventures with Southern Arabia and India flourish. Out of the twenty local vessels docked in Zeila, he owned half, including two large trading dhows that transported around 300 tons of coffee and other goods annually to Bombay. His control over maritime trade routes significantly boosted his wealth and cemented his status as a major economic force in the region.
[How Zeila looked during his time]
In 1855, Sharmarke faced a significant setback when his rival, Abu Bakr, supported by the French, deposed him and took control of Zeila. However, Sharmarke's exile was short-lived, as he managed to reclaim his position in 1857. He continued to govern Zeila until his death in 1861, once again establishing his dominance and securing his legacy as a key leader of the Somaliland coast.
Throughout his life, Sharmarke harbored ambitions of restoring the authority of the Adal Sultanate, a historic state that once held significant power in the region. His dreams of reviving this lost empire reflect his broader vision of political and economic resurgence for somalis. Sharmarke's legacy is marked by his remarkable rise to power, his impact on regional trade, and his enduring influence on the political landscape of the Somaliland coast.
In 1841, Sharmarke made a strategic move to seize control of Zeila. He chartered two dhows and gathered fifty Somali Matchlock men and two cannons to overthrow the Arab Governor, Syed Mohammed Al Barr. The sight and sound of Sharmarke's cannons caused Al Barr's followers to flee, allowing Sharmarke to take over as the ruler of Zeila.
The cannons today
Under his leadership, Zeila quickly transformed as he sought to monopolize regional trade, extending his influence to Harar and beyond.
Sharmarke's tenure as governor saw his trading ventures with Southern Arabia and India flourish. Out of the twenty local vessels docked in Zeila, he owned half, including two large trading dhows that transported around 300 tons of coffee and other goods annually to Bombay. His control over maritime trade routes significantly boosted his wealth and cemented his status as a major economic force in the region.
[How Zeila looked during his time]
In 1855, Sharmarke faced a significant setback when his rival, Abu Bakr, supported by the French, deposed him and took control of Zeila. However, Sharmarke's exile was short-lived, as he managed to reclaim his position in 1857. He continued to govern Zeila until his death in 1861, once again establishing his dominance and securing his legacy as a key leader of the Somaliland coast.
Throughout his life, Sharmarke harbored ambitions of restoring the authority of the Adal Sultanate, a historic state that once held significant power in the region. His dreams of reviving this lost empire reflect his broader vision of political and economic resurgence for somalis. Sharmarke's legacy is marked by his remarkable rise to power, his impact on regional trade, and his enduring influence on the political landscape of the Somaliland coast.
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