Early Modern Era

Songhai Empire

1464 AD – 1591 AD · peak 1500 AD

The Songhai Empire became the dominant power in the Sahel under Sonni Ali, who captured Timbuktu in 1468 AD. The empire reached its zenith under the Askia dynasty, which standardized trade and established Islamic centers of learning before falling to an invading Moroccan force at the Battle of Tondibi in 1591 AD.

Capital: Gao