The sons and commanders of El Hadj…

The sons and commanders of El Hadj Umar Tall, founder of the Toucouleur Empire, had divided among themselves his vast domains after the former was been killed in a skirmish with the Fulani in 1864.

His eldest son, Amadou Tal, who had been installed at Ségou, had unsuccessfully attempted to exert control over the whole Toucouleur empire in a series of civil wars.

He had become head of the Ségou Tukulor empire, whose predominantly Bambara inhabitants lead constant revolts against his rule.