In total, the Kano Chronicle attributed twelve innovations to him, including; extending the city walls, building a large palace, the Gidan Rumfa, promoting slaves to governmental positions and establishing the Kurmi Market.
Rumfa’s reforms also proved to be the catalyst that would propel Kano to its political peak, resulting in the first Kanoan Empire under his grandson, Muhammad Kisoki..[1] He was the first Sarki (Hausa title for chief) who used "Dawakin Zaggi" in the war with Katsina Emirate.
Muhammad Rumfa is considered by historians to be Kano's greatest ruler due to the reforms executed during his reign.
It is believed that while the Rumfawa were likely descendants of Bagauda, their faction were primarily based in or ceased power with the aid of Gaya and possibly the backing of Bornu.
This could be seen as a reward for Gaya's role in the Rumfawa's accession or part of the terms for their submission to Kano.
His reign was characterized by unprecedented economic growth, numerous administrative reforms and great infrastructural development.
Rumfa inherited a booming economy which saw a wave of migration of scholars and traders, mostly of Arab, Kanuri, Berber and Fula descent.
The most notable of these migrants was popular Berber scholar Muhammad Al-Maghili who claimed to be a Mujaddid.
When he felt that he had accomplished his goal and learned men were ubiquitous, he left Kano for Masr (Egypt), leaving Sidi Fari to carry on his work.
Rumfa also built numerous mosques and during his reign Eid al-Fitr was first celebrated in Kano.
The Sultan established the Kurmi Market to improve trade and also installed an Ombudsman for better governance.
Al-Maghili wrote the book "On the Obligation of Princes" as a guide for the Kano Sultan and for a time was an influential figure in his court.
Kano arguably achieved the height of its reputation as a trading center in the Middle Ages during his reign.
He described the locals as "wealthy merchants and skilled craftsmen" and commended the cavalry of the Sultan's army.
[4] Though Kano experienced growth and opulence under Rumfa's reign, the sultanate was engaged in a war with Katsina and was reportedly the victim of an invasion by the powerful Songhai Empire though the latter is historically dubious.
During this war, the Sultan was said to be the first ruler to utilize the "Dawakan Zagi", a form of psychological warfare.
Askiya had some of his men, reside in kano to collect the imposed tax and exhorted Rumfa to marry his daughter believed to be Madaki Auwa to solidify his position.
His account is believed to be based on hear-say in Gao or Timbuktu about events that may have transpired around Rumfa's era and sort to glorify the exploits of the Askiya.
His most notable spouse is the influential Madaki Auwa, with whom he sired his successor, Abdullahi dan Rumfa and Abubakar Kado, the twenty fifth ruler of Kano with.
[7] Oral traditions dictate that his epithet "Rumfa" came because during his time, wild dogs were rampant and feasted on the food of Kano's inhabitants.
When they came to the Sultan for a solution, his grandson Muhammad, who was playing in his court, suggested they build rumfa (sheds) where they could keep the food out of the dogs' reach.