Final answer:
Askia Muhammed, also known as Askia the Great, was noted for establishing the Songhai Empire as a Muslim kingdom, greatly expanding its territory, controlling trans-Saharan trade, and turning cities like Timbuktu and Djenné into Islamic learning centers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Key Accomplishments of Askia Muhammed
Askia Muhammed, also known as Askia the Great, was instrumental in the expansion and consolidation of the Songhai Empire, during which he achieved several significant accomplishments:
- He established Songhai as a Muslim kingdom, leveraging Islam to strengthen his rule and extend his influence, which included a successful appeal to the caliph in Egypt to recognize him as caliph of Sudan.
- Under his leadership, Songhai became the largest empire in West Africa's history, controlling major trans-Saharan trade routes, and he introduced standardized weights and measures as well as trade inspections to regulate trade more effectively.
- Askia expanded Songhai's territory through military conquests, such as the capture of Taghaza, and oversaw a period of cultural flourishing, with Timbuktu and Djenné becoming centers of Islamic learning.
His broad trade networks and diplomatic skills helped establish a prosperous era, but internal strife and succession issues eventually led to the decline of his empire.