Askia Ismail was the sixth ruler of the Songhai Empire from 1537 – 1539, and fourth from the Askia dynasty. He was the son of Askia Mohammad I, the founder of the Askia dynasty, and Maryam Daabu, a member of the Malian royal family captured in 1501.[1]

Ismai'l
Askia
PredecessorAskia Benkan (1531–1537)
SuccessorAskia Ishaq I (1539–1549)
Names
Ismai'l ibn Mohammed al-Turi
DynastyAskia dynasty
FatherAskia Mohammad I
MotherMaryum Daabu
ReligionIslam

Ismail, a younger son, was sheltered by the Maghsharen-koi, the leader of the Tuareg community of Timbuktu, during his brother Musa's short reign of terror.[2]: 432 

He was recalled to court by Askia Mohammed Benkan and given the king'd sister as a wife. Despite this, he plotted with his father, imprisoned on an island in the Niger river, to regain power.[2]: 436  The conspiracy came to fruition in April 1537 when Benkan was encamped at a village called Mansur. Benkan’s captains turned against him and he was deposed by the Dendi-fari, with them capturing and chaining up most of Benkan’s inner circle. Raised to power by the Dendi-fari, Askia Ismail was then able to release his father Askia Muhammad from Kangaba Island, bringing him home to Gao.

Ismail campaigned against Bakabula in Gurma. He gave charge of the cavalry to the Kurmina-fari and instructed them to chase and engage Bakabula until Ismail arrived. In the ensuing battle they lost over 900 horsemen. However they succeeded in killing Bakabula and were able to take a large amount of booty. Shortly after this battle in December 1539 Ismail died.[citation needed]

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References edit

  1. ^ Kane, Oumar (2021). "La Formation du Royaume Jaalalo du Kingi par Tenghella". In Fall, Mamadou; Fall, Rokhaya; Mane, Mamadou (eds.). Bipolarisation du Senegal du XVIe - XVIIe siecle (in French). Dakar: HGS Editions. p. 54.
  2. ^ a b Levtzion, Nehemiah (1977). "5 - The western Maghrib and Sudan". In Oliver, Ronald (ed.). The Cambridge History of Africa Volume 3: From c.1050 to c.1600. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781139054577. Retrieved 12 March 2024.

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