Due in part to its geographic position on a plateau surrounded by desert, Taqali was able to maintain its independence for some 130 years despite the presence of hostile neighbors.
Oral traditions state that it was founded in the early sixteenth century when the Kingdom of Sennar was established.
However, some scholars believe the state did not exist until the late eighteenth century (between 1750 and 1780) and that the early rulers (noted on the list of monarchs) are semi-mythological.
[4] Historian Janet J. Ewald argued that the first true ruler of Taqali was Muhammad Wad Jayli.
Ewald contends the state of Taqali was formed during a period of disorder in the Kordofan when the Kingdom of Sennar was in decline and Darfur was growing in power.
These highlands were well-suited to agriculture while the surrounding Kordofan plain was dry and inhospitable, which made it difficult to support an invading army.
The neighboring Kingdom of Sennar posed the greatest threat and was appeased by annual payments from Taqali.
An agreement was reached with Egypt that Taqali would remain de facto independent but would pay a nominal tax and be officially incorporated into Egyptian Sudan.
In July 1884 the ruler of Taqali, Makk Adam, was captured by the Mahdists and eventually died in captivity.
Insurrections continued in Taqali, and Hamdan Abu Anja, a nearby Sudanese ruler, was dispatched to quell the rebellion.
The Makks of Taqali proved to be useful allies and the British gradually gave them more territory to control and administer.