Bawa Jan Gwarzo

[1] Bawa's bravery on the battlefield earned him the nickname Jan Gwarzo, meaning 'red of undaunted person', a Hausa name reserved for the bravest warriors.

[1] Bawa continued his father's campaign for regional dominance, conducting military expeditions across Katsina, Yauri, Agadez, and parts of Zamfara.

In return, he sent the Etsu Nupe: "one hundred horses (of which twelve were Bornu stallions) and two beauteous female slaves, each of whom wore bracelets of silk.

"[1] The increasing power and influence Gobir gained during Bawa's reign enabled it to be the only Hausa state to refuse to send tribute to the Bornu Empire, asserting its independence.

[1][5][4] One of the defining aspects of Bawa's reign was his relationship with Usman dan Fodio, an Islamic reformer from the Gobir town of Degel.