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Sunni Ali, also known as Si Ali, Sunni Ali Ber (Ber meaning "the Great"), [2] reigned from about 1464 to 1492 as the 15th ruler of the Sunni dynasty of the Songhai Empire.He transformed the relatively small state into an empire by conquering Timbuktu, Massina, the Inner Niger Delta, and Djenne.
The Sonni dynasty, Sunni dynasty or Si dynasty was a dynasty of rulers of the Songhai Empire of medieval West Africa. The origins of the dynasty lies in its predecessor Za Dynasty . The last ruler, Sonni Baru , ruled until 1493 when the throne was usurped by the Askiya Muhammad I , the founder of the Askiya dynasty .
The Tarikh al-fattash is a West African chronicle that provides an account of the Songhai Empire from the reign of Sunni Ali (ruled 1464-1492) up to 1599 with a few references to events in the following century. The chronicle also mentions the earlier Mali Empire.
Sonni Ali created a policy against the scholars of Timbuktu, especially those of the Sankore region who were associated with the Tuareg. With his control of critical trade routes and cities such as Timbuktu, Sonni Ali increased the wealth of the Songhai Empire, which at its height would surpass the wealth of Mali.
His rule was very short, from 6 November 1492, to 12 April 1493. The dates of his birth and death are not known. Bāru succeeded his father Sonni Ali on the latter's death. However, one of Sonni Ali's generals, Muhammad Ture, plotted to take power. Bāru was challenged by Muhammad because he was not seen as a faithful Muslim. [2]
Muhammad was a prominent general under the Songhai ruler Sunni Ali. When Sunni Ali was succeeded by his son, Sunni Baru, in 1492, Muhammad challenged the succession on the grounds that the new ruler was not a faithful Muslim. [1] He defeated Baru and ascended to the throne in 1493. [2]
The people consisted of mostly fishermen and traders. Following Sonni Ali's death, Muslim factions rebelled against his successor and installed Sonni Ali nephew, Askia Muhammad (formerly Muhammad Toure) who was to be the first and most important ruler of the Askia dynasty (1492–1592). Under the Askias, the Songhai empire reached its zenith.
1492: The death of Sunni Ali Ber left a leadership void in the Songhai Empire, and his son was soon dethroned by Mamadou Toure who ascended the throne in 1493 under the name Askia (meaning "general") Muhammad. Askia Muhammad made Songhai the largest empire in the history of West Africa.