The Songhai Empire was a West African state centered on the Niger River during the 15th and 16th centuries, at its peak one of the largest African empires in history. Sonni Ali established Gao as the empire's capital and, ruling as the Sonni dynasty, expanded Songhai power to surpass the neighboring Mali Empire in area, wealth and influence, absorbing much of Mali's former territory. Sonni Ali's successor was overthrown by the general Muhammad Ture, known as Askia the Great, who founded the Askia dynasty and instituted political and economic reforms; important cities under Songhai rule included Timbuktu and Djenne, both centers of trade and Islamic scholarship. Plots and civil wars among Askia's successors weakened the empire, and in 1591 a Moroccan army under Judar Pasha, sent by the Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur, defeated Songhai forces at the Battle of Tondibi, collapsing the empire.
Facts
Government TypeMonarchy, ruled successively by the Sonni and Askia dynasties 1 Start YearDated to Sonni Ali's establishment of Songhai as an imperial power and the start of the Sonni dynasty; a smaller Songhai polity had existed around Gao since the 11th century, which this entity does not separately represent. Government type (class) Classification
Status (Extant or Former) Connections
Associated With
Polity that defined this era
In Era
Ruled By
Source Wikipedia: Askia Muhammad I
In the Other Atlases
- Also in Society and Culture Atlas: Monarchy, government type there.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Songhai Empire
WikipediaLead section, paragraph 1
The Songhai Empire was a state located in the western part of the Sahel during the 15th and 16th centuries. At its peak, it was one of the largest African empires in history.
Lead section, paragraph 1, dynasties
Initially, the Songhai Empire was ruled by the Sonni dynasty (c. 1464-1493), but it was later replaced by the Askia dynasty (1493-1591).
Lead section, paragraph 1, capital
Sonni Ali established Gao as the empire's capital, although a Songhai state had existed in and around Gao since the 11th century.
Lead section, paragraph 1, Sonni dynasty dates
Initially, the Songhai Empire was ruled by the Sonni dynasty (c. 1464-1493)
Collapse section
The Songhai Empire collapsed after the defeat at the Battle of Tondibi in 1591.
The Songhai Empire: Status
Sonni Ali's successor was overthrown by the general Muhammad Ture, known as Askia the Great, who founded the Askia dynasty and instituted political and economic reforms; important cities under Songhai rule included Timbuktu and Djenne, both centers of trade and Islamic scholarship.
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