Zaria, initially known as Zazau, is also the capital of the Hausa kingdom of Zazzau.

In the late 1450s, Islam arrives in Zaria by the way of its sister Habe cities, Kano and Katsina.

Along with Islam, trade also flourishes between the cities as traders bring camel caravans filled with salt in exchange for slaves and grain.

Between the fifteenth and sixteenth century, the kingdom becomes a tributary state of the Songhai Empire.

In 1805 it is captured by the Fulani during the Fulani Jihad.

British forces led by Frederick Lugard take the city in 1901.