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Ibadan's [influence extended] to the north-east, where it came into conflict
with Ilorin. Despite their defeat at Osogbo in 1840 (Ajayi and Smith, 1971:
33-6) the rulers of Ilorin continued to become involved in the wars between the
other Yoruba states for the rest of the 19th century[5]...
The wars resulted from the attempts of the newer states-Ibadan, Ijaye, Ilorin
and Abeokuta - to fill the political and economic niche previously occupied by
Oyo. But now conditions were different. With the shift in population to the
forest fringes the importance of cavalry had diminished, and the wars during the
rest of the century were fought by armies of infantry with arms imported from
the coast rather than the north. This change is neatly symbolised by the story
Johnson tells of the Ibadan victory at Osogbo. After the battle, the only uses
the Ibadan had for the captured Ilorin horses were as food and as supplies of
horsehair for tying on their amulets (1921: 288). The change took place against
the background of increasing European penetration, by explorers, missionaries
and merchants, followed by troops and administrators.
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