The Mande conquerors of the nineteenth century frequently utilized trade routes established by the "Dyula". Indeed, it was his exploitation of their commercial network that allowed military leader Samory Touré (1830–1900) to rise to a dominant position in the Upper Niger region. A member of a "dyula" family from Sanankoro in Guinea, Samori conquered and united "Dyula" states during the 1860s. He gained control over the Milo River Valley in 1871, seized the village of Kankan in 1881, and became the principal power holder on the Upper Niger. By 1883, Samori had successfully brought the local chieftains under his control and officially founded the kingdom of Wasulu.