 In February 1903, British forces captured Kano while Aliyu was away with the Emirate's large contingent elite cavalry.On receiving news of the Fall of Kano at Sokoto, Aliyu and the Kano cavalry embarked on a march to retake the Emirate.After three successful encounters with the British at Gusau and Zamfara, In March 1903, the Kano cavalry was ambushed at Kwatarkwashi.