Songhai Kingdom

fact 5

He was being held as a political prisoner by the leader of the Mali Empire who ruled over the Songhai.

fact 6

In 1464, Sunni Ali escaped to the city of Gao and took control of the city

fact 4

The Songhai Empire first came into power under the leadership of Sunni Ali. Sunni Ali was a prince of the Songhai.

fact 3

The Songhai Empire lasted from 1464 to 1591. Prior to the 1400s, the Songhai were under the rule of the Mali Empire.

fact 1

The Songhai Empire was located in Western Africa south of the Sahara Desert and along the Niger River.

fact 9

He brought the Songhai Empire to its height of power and founded the Askia Dynasty.

fact 7

. From the city of Gao, he established the Songhai Empire and began to conquer nearby regions including the important trading cities of Timbuktu and Djenne.

fact 10

Askia Muhammad was a devout Muslim. Under his rule, Islam became an important part of the empire.

fact 2

At its peak, it stretched well over 1,000 miles from the current modern day country of Niger to the Atlantic Ocean. The capital city of the Songhai was the city of Gao which was located in modern-day Mali on the banks of the Niger River.

fact 8

n 1493, Askia Muhammad became the leader of the Songhai.