Flag of Darfur as used by the rebel Darfur Liberation Front.
History
The Fur are the indigenous people of Darfur, and were joined by Daju who migrated to the area in early history. In the 14th century, the Tunjur people took over power and mixed with the Daju and Fur. Suleyman Solong, of mixed ancestry and a devout Muslim, became the first sultan of Darfur in 1596. Three generations of succesful rule brought peace and prosperity to the sultanate, followed by a period of civil war and instability in the 18th century.
In the 19th century the Ottoman Egyptians gained more influence in the region and conquered the sultanate in 1874. The British invaded Ottoman Egypt in 1882 and also tried to control Sudan, starting the Mahdist War during which for several years the British were expelled from Sudan. During the British counteroffensive, the Fur allied with the British with the hope of achieving independence. In 1899, Ali Dinar became sultan of a newly established Sultanate of Darfur, effectively a British protectorate.
Darfur outlined as part of Egyptian Sudan in 1885.
During World War I Ali Dinar switched sides and supported the Ottomans, prompting the British to intervene in Darfur. Ali Dinar was chased down by British troops until he was killed in 1916. Darfur became part of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan and from 1956 part of the Republic of Sudan.
Ethnic divisions between Sudanese Arabs and the people of Darfur caused the Darfur Conflict in 2003, a long-lasting ethnic conflict associated with war crimes and genocide. It is one of many tragic conflicts in Africa caused by ill-defined borders dating back from the colonial period.
Currency and coins
It is unknown what currency was used in Darfur over the centuries. The only Darfur coins that were meant for circulation date from the reign of Sultan Ali Dinar at the start of the 20th century and were denominated in Qirsh (Piastre). These coins were hammered in the Darfur capital of Al-Fashir and are very rare.
In modern times fantasy coins of Darfur hsve been produced. These never saw curculation. Darfur uses the Sudanese Pound.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/darfur-1.html
