Muḥammad I Askia

Definition

Muhammad I Askia, also known as Askia the Great, was an emperor of the Songhai Empire in West Africa during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He is known for his military campaigns, administrative reforms, and patronage of Islamic learning.

Analogy

Think of Muḥammad I Askia like a school principal who not only improves the school's sports teams (his military campaigns), but also updates the curriculum (administrative reforms) and promotes a specific subject like math or science (patronage of Islamic learning).

Related terms

Songhai Empire: A state located in western Africa that existed from circa 15th to 16th centuries. It was one of the largest states in African history.

Timbuktu: An ancient city in Mali situated near the Niger River which became a center for trade, culture, and Islam under Askia's rule.

Islamic Learning: The study and interpretation of texts related to Islam including Quranic studies, Hadith studies, jurisprudence etc., which flourished under Askia's reign.