Askia Muhammad Toure. The Great Emperor of the Songhai Empire.

Askia Muhammad I (ca. 1443 – 1538), born Muhammad Toure in Futa Tooro, later called Askia, also known as Askia the Great, was an emperor, military commander, and political reformer of the Songhai Empire [1] in the late 15th century, the successor of Sunni Ali Ber. Askia Muhammad strengthened his country and made it the largest country in West Africa's history. At its peak under Muhammad, the Songhai Empire encompassed the Hausa states as far as Kano (in present-day Nigeria) and much of the territory that had belonged to the Songhai empire in the west. His policies resulted in a rapid expansion of trade with Europe and Asia, the creation of many schools, and made Islam an integral part of the empire.

Due to his efforts, Songhai experienced a cultural revival it had never witnessed before, and the whole land flourished as a center of all things valuable in learning and trade.

ASKIA MOHAMMAD: Ruled the SONGHAY ENTIRE from 1493 to 1528. When SONNI ALI BER died, his son SONNI BARU succeeded him. Sonni Baru refused to declare himself a Muslim, giving Askia Mohammad, who was a general for SONNI ALI BER, a legitimate reason to rebel. In 1493, Askia Mohammad defeated Sonni Baru. Askia Mohammad proved a highly effective ruler, extending the empire's boundaries westward to lower Senegal, eastward to Air and north to the Taghaza mines of the Sahara. Askia Mohammad created a professional army of slave soldiers. In 1496, he went on pilgrimage to Mecca. During his pilgrimage, Askia Mohammad obtained the title "Caliph of the Sudan" from the last Abbasid caliph, al-Mutawakkil, giving his regime a new Islamic legitimacy. Mohammad's ties with the wider Islamic world were closer than those of previous monarchs in the region. He frequently consulted Islamic judges and scholars on how to best govern his empire. One of these scholars, Al-Maghili visited Songhay and is credited with introducing Sufism to the area and spreading the idea of the Mujaddid or "Renewer of Islam" that would become an important theme in the history of the region. Another important Islamic scholar who influenced Askia Mohammad was Jalala AI-Din Al-Suyuti, an Egyptian who advised Askia Mohammad on how to tailor Islamic law to fit the special needs of the Sahara and Sahel. Under Askia Mohammad, Islamic scholarship flourished in TIMBUKTU. Even though Askia Mohammad was a pious Muslim, he retained many traditional aspects of Songhay culture and did not try to convert non-Muslims through conquest.

Soon after his return from Mecca, Askia embarked on his expansionist enterprise, where he ultimately extended the empire on all borders. He waged a successful jihad against the Mossi of Yatenga; captured Mali; defeated the Fulani and extended the borders farther north than any other Sudanic empire to Taghaza, famous for its salt mines. Years later, he conquered Hausaland and, in a subsequent campaign, seized Agades and Air.

Askia encouraged learning and literacy. Under Askia, Timbuktu experienced a cultural revival and flourished as a center of learning. The University of Sankore produced distinguished scholars, many of whom published significant books. The eminent scholar Ahmed Baba produced many books on Islamic law, some of which are still in use today. Mahmoud Kati published Tarik al-Fattah and Abdul-Rahman as-Sadi published Tarik as-Sudan (Chronicle of the Sudan), two history books which are indispensable to present-day scholars reconstructing African history in the Middle Ages.

Askia fostered trade and commerce. State revenues were derived from estates founded throughout the nation, tributes exacted from vassal states, taxes, and custom duties. Timbuktu, Jenne and Gao were the commercial centers of the empire, and the trade routes were policed by the army to maintain their safety. In addition, he standardized weights and measures throughout the empire.

Askia's final years were filled with humiliation and suffering. In 1528, Askia Mohammed, now almost ninety years old and blind, was deposed by his son, Musa. Later, another son, Ismail, brought him back to the palace, where he died in 1538. The most illustrious reign in the history of the Western Sudan ended. Askia Mohammmed, regarded as the greatest of the Songhai kings, continued the work of Sunni Ali Ber and built the largest and wealthiest of the kingdoms of the Western Sudan.

Askia The Great Emperor of the Songhai Empire. Full name Muhammad Toure Born ca. 1443 Died 1538. Buried Tomb of Askia, Gao, Mali Predecessor Sunni Baru (1492-1493) Successor none. Dynasty Askia Dynasty or Songhai Empire. Father Mohsin Sin, Mother Askia Sino.