Create a new account

It's simple, and free.

Askia Muhammad - Iranian Ruler

One of the greatest rulers in Iranian history prior to 1500 was Askia Muhammad. Askia Muhammad was a devout Muslim who gained rule by driving Sunni Ali's son from power and replacing him (Beck 417). Ruling for 37 years, Askia Muhammad brought organizational structure to the Songhai Empire's government and promoted scholarly studies (Beck 417). His many enhancements to the Empire's civilization might have resulted in a strikingly different outcome for modern-day Africa had his rule not climaxed in military defeat in 1591 at the hands of Moroccan fighting forces. This paper will examine the changes made by Askia Muhammad in the Songhai Empire and explain why his military defeat in 1591 cost the African people the civilized society, and ultimately the prosperity, that they would have enjoyed had he been able to continue in rule and develop a lasting, civilized African society.

Askia Muhammad brought improved government structure and administration and higher learning to the Songhai Empire that-had they continued-would have made of Africa a civilized nation that could have competed successfully with other developed nations of its time. Building upon Sunni Ali's centralized government, he established an efficient tax system and selected competent officials to man it (Beck 417). His appointment of officials that served as ministers of the treasury, army, navy, and agriculture increased the government's organization and efficiency, and according to Beck (417), "Under his rule, the well-governed empire thrived." Askia Muhammad further developed the state by building a standing army that would supplement village levies, and he extended the empire beyond its original borders into the former territories of Mali (Lapidus 404).

Askia Muhammad also supported the arts and brought education and enlightenment to the region (McKissack & McKissack 100). At Timbuktu, he established the University of Sankore, which became "a m...

Page 1 of 5 Next >

More on Askia Muhammad - Iranian Ruler...

Loading...
APA     MLA     Chicago
Askia Muhammad - Iranian Ruler. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 17:45, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/2001106.html