Ancient history

How did the empire of Songhai begin?

The Songhai Empire originated as the Songhai state in the 11th century, but it rose to prominence in the 14th century under the leadership of a man named Sonni Ali. Sonni Ali was a Songhai general who seized power in 1464 after the death of the current ruler. He proved to be a skilled military leader and administrator, and he quickly expanded the Songhai Empire. He conquered several neighboring kingdoms and established a centralized government. He also promoted the spread of Islam and built several mosques and schools. Sonni Ali died in 1492, but the Songhai Empire continued to grow and prosper under his successors.