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The growth of Mashi town did not differ so much from other towns and cities in this part of Nigeria. As a Sahel Savanna region, the area had its own physical features and other factors favored the emergence of settlements. Among the tangible factors which facilitated the emergency and growth of the town were fertility of the land, availability of water, relative protection offered for the fact that the area was lowland flanked by hills such as the Tsaunin Zoma to the south of the town. In the rank of the intangible factors there was good leadership which the town enjoyed from is founding during the early 18^th century down to the early 20^th Century where seasoned warriors like Iya Zakari led it. Apparently, however, Mashi began as a Military town because history has it that the name of the settlement itself was derived from the word Mashi (spear/javelin). It is said that one ofthe Katsina Kings sent weapons to the Chief of the settlement, in which spears were more in number for which the settlement was named Mashi as advised by a woman during a congress convey by Bako himself.

As a Military town, there is little surprise when most of its rulers were military generals re-known warriors like Danwaire, Iya Nadabo and above all, Iya Zakari, had all ruled the town in turns.

The first settlers of this locality were perhaps hunters who came from Daura with the first Chief being Bako (Stranger). But as the name implies, Bako was himself a stranger who came and found other settlers already in the town.

Nonetheless, it was probably this stranger who rallied the people together and provided them with a purposive leadership. As a hunter, Bako was able to provide the needed impetus-impetus of military offense and defense. It is said that the town was initially walled but the walls collapsed one might therefore, exposing the town by making it insecure from predators. But as a great warrior Bako comforted the settlers and promised to help them defend the settlement against external forces. With the walls collapsed, a story is told that one day enemies invaded the town from the north, and true to his promise Bakoraised his men and intercepted the enemy who were routed. With this victory, Bako captured much booty from the fleeing enemy. He took part of the booty to the king of Katsina. The king was very happy and in return, he supplied weapons to Bako to assist him defend his town. We have earlier noted how the town got its name. It was from this episode that the name was derived.

Gradually, the town began to expand with more settlers coming. Among those settlers were nomads and traders. Some came with the intention of spending days, but having found the town hospitable, they stayed there permanently. Waves of settlers came from Katsina, Daura, Tasawa ete to the extent that there is no group which would lay claim to being aboriginal. This had been the situation with all towns and cities in Hausa land. Some would have come to settle earlier, but the tall and short of it is the fact that all were settlers.

The Political history of Mashi shows that Bako was its first ruler then followed by others who bore the titled "Mashi." In this category We have Mashi Fula, Mashi Dandogo, Mashi Dan'ayashe and Mashi Dandutse all who appeared to have ruled before the Shehu Usman Danfodiyo's Jihad of 1804. Mashi Danranko ruled during the Jihad period in the time of Emir of Katsina Umaru Dallaje. Danranka had ruled up to mild 19'" Century and was succeeded by Mashi Shehu the ruler credited with the reconstruction of the Mashi town's wall. Shehu ruled the town twice.

The title Onya seemed to have begun around the year 1903 with the coming of the British. The first to use the title Was Iya Goje, followed by Iya Tanko and then in 1908

Iya Zakari was appointed by Sarkin Katsina Muhammad Dikko with the death of 1ya Zakari the title reverted to Sarking Gabas in 1923 whenAbubakar Dogo Was the District Head of Kaita before coming to Mashi. He ruled up to 1928 when he became the Magajin Gari ofKatsina. Dogo Was succeeded by Durbi Ummaru, and then followed by Abdullahi. With the death of Abdullahi, Dandada was turbaned in J 952. Mashi Dandada was succeeded hy lro who now began to use the title Jya. Iya Iro was a seasoned scholar who happened to head the prestigious Katsina Middle school. It was in 1968 that Iya Iro voluntarily relinquished his District Headship following which, his son Aminu succeeded him, but now using the title of Sarkin Gabas. But with the death Onro, the right reverted again. lya Aminu died in 1999 and is succeeded by his son AIhaji Kabir Aminu, Lyan Katsina.

Economically Mashi is a commercial town with its market being one of the biggest in the state. Traders come to this market from all parts of Nigeria and the neighboring countries. Tuesday is the market day of the town and almost every household has one business or the other to transact in the market. It is estimated that commodities worth millions of Naira exchange hands in the market.