The second largest city in Ghana, W Africa,
capital of Ashanti region, with trade in
cocoa, rubber, and cattle; population (1984)
376,200. history From the late 17th century
until 1901, when it was absorbed into the
British Gold Coast Colony, Kumasai was
capital of the Ashanti confederation. In 1874
the Ashanti king's palace was destroyed by
British military force under General Wolseley
and in 1896 the city was occupied by the
British for a second time. During an Ashanti
revolt in 1900 Sir Frederic Hodgson, governor
of the Gold Coast Colony, and a small
garrison were besieged in the fort at Kumasai
from March to June.