After defeating Takla Gyorgis, at the Battle of Assam in 1781, Kasa Mercha was crowned as Yohannes IV in 1872.
He ruled from 1872-1889
His approach towards unification was quite different from Tewodros II's.
The emperor allowed regional lords local freedom until they accepted his overlordship.
In relation to the two major regional lords (Adal Tasamma of Gojjam and Menilek of Shawa), Yohannes followed a policy of maintaining military and political balance between them.