Songhai State Policies, Taxation, and Control of Trans-Saharan Commerce (c. 1464–1591)

1. Sunni Ali takes power in Songhai

   Jan 1, 1464Labels: Sunni Ali, Gao, Niger River

   • Britannica
   • WorldHistory

2. Songhai captures Timbuktu, a key caravan hub

   Jan 1, 1469Labels: Timbuktu, Songhai

   • WorldHistory
   • Britannica

3. Songhai takes Djenné, strengthening control of Niger trade

   Jan 1, 1473Labels: Djenn, Sunni Ali

   • Britannica
   • OpenStax

4. Askia Muhammad seizes the throne

   Jan 1, 1493Labels: Askia Muhammad, Songhai

   • WorldHistory
   • OpenStax

5. Trade regulation expands under Askia Muhammad

   Jan 1, 1493Labels: Askia Muhammad, market inspectors

   • OpenStax

6. Songhai wealth relies on taxing gold and salt trade

   Jan 1, 1500Labels: Gold trade, Salt trade

   • OpenStax

7. Askia Muhammad is deposed, triggering succession tensions

   Jan 1, 1528Labels: Askia Muhammad, succession crisis

   • AskiyaDynasty

8. Askia Dawud’s long reign stabilizes imperial control

   Jan 1, 1549Labels: Askia Dawud, Songhai

   • AskiaDaoud
   • AskiyaDynasty

9. Moroccan pressure grows over Saharan salt sources

   Jan 1, 1556Labels: Morocco, Saadi dynasty

   • Britannica
   • MoroccanInvasion

10. Succession crisis after Askia Dawud weakens governance

    Jan 1, 1582Labels: Succession crisis, Songhai

    • AskiaAlHajj
    • AskiyaDynasty

11. Moroccan expedition launches across the Sahara

    Oct 16, 1590Labels: Ahmad al-Mansur, Moroccan expedition

    • MoroccanInvasion
    • Pashalik

12. Battle of Tondibi breaks Songhai military power

    Mar 13, 1591Labels: Battle of, Morocco

    • Tondibi
    • MoroccanInvasion

13. Moroccans seize Timbuktu, shifting control of commerce

    May 30, 1591Labels: Timbuktu, Moroccan administration

    • HistoryTimbuktu
    • Pashalik

14. Songhai state collapses as a unified trade regime

    Dec 31, 1591Labels: Songhai collapse, Moroccan occupation

    • Britannica
    • Tondibi