Muḥammad I Askia
Muḥammad I Askia was a pivotal figure in West African history, known for founding the Askia Dynasty and significantly shaping the Songhai Empire. Ascending to power after the reign of Sonni ʿAlī, he is credited with strengthening the empire's administration and consolidating its territorial gains. His military campaigns extended the empire's reach into the Sahara, capturing vital areas such as Aïr and Taghanza, while also confronting regional threats like the Mossi and Dogon.
Askia divided the empire into four vice-royalties, enhancing governance through a structured hierarchy that included a council of ministers overseeing various aspects of administration. He employed a range of revenue-generating strategies, such as tribute from vassals and trade duties, to support the state. A devout Muslim, Askia utilized Islam to unify his empire and elevate its cultural significance, famously undertaking a pilgrimage to Mecca and receiving recognition from the Egyptian caliph. His efforts revitalized Tombouctou as a center of Islamic learning and established Islam as the state religion. However, his reign ended in 1528 when he was deposed.
On this Page
Muḥammad I Askia
Emperor
- Born: 1443
- Birthplace: Futa Tooro
- Died: 1538
- Place of death: Gao, Mali
Full name: Muḥammad Ibn Abī Bakr Ture
Also known as: Muḥammad Ture
Born: Date and place unknown
Died: March 2, 1538; Gao, Songhai Empire
Principal wars: Against the Tuaregs of Aïr, Taghanza, Mossi of Yatenga, the Dogon, the Hausa
Military significance: Muḥammad I Askia usurped the throne of the Songhai Empire and, in a series of conquests, greatly expanded and strengthened the empire. Between 1498 and 1502, he was victorious over the Mossi of Yatenga and the Tuaregs of Aïr.
Although seventeenth century Tombouctou writers excoriated Sonni ʿAlī as a tyrant, they showered praise on Muḥammad I Askia, founder of the Askia Dynasty. Muḥammad Askia strengthened the administration of the empire, consolidated Sonni ʿAlī‘s conquests, and promoted Islam. He maximized Songhai’s benefit from the trans-Saharan trade by extending the empire into the desert, driving back the Tuareg of Aïr, then capturing Aïr and the salt-producing center of Taghanza in the north. He sent an army as far west as Takrur and fought off the Middle Niger raiders—the Mossi of Yatenga and the Dogon. Eastward, his armies overran the Hausa states of Gobir, Katsina, and eventually Kano. These acquisitions expanded the trading network of Songhai.
Muḥammad Askia divided the empire into four vice-royalties under viceroys, each under a governor—usually from the royal family or a trusted servant. In terms of central administration, Muḥammad Askia established a council of ministers composed of the balama (commander in chief), fari-mundya (chief tax collector), hi-koy (navy chief), korey-farma (minister responsible for foreigners), warrey-farma (minister in charge of property), and the hari-farma (minister in charge of fisheries). He raised revenue for administration from tribute from vassals, proceeds from royal farms, taxes on peasants, contributions from his generals, and duties on trade. He used Islam to reinforce his authority and unite his empire, and went on a pilgrimage to Mecca soon after his accession. In Cairo, he persuaded the Egyptian caliph to recognize him as “caliph” of the Sudan. On his return from Mecca in 1496, Muḥammad Askia revived Tombouctou as a great center of Islamic learning and made Islam a state religion. He was deposed in 1528.
Bibliography
Boahen, A. Adu. Topics in West African History. London: Longman, 1986.
Davidson, Basil. Africa in History. New York & London: Touchstone, 1995.
Shillington, Kevin. History of Africa. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1995.