Askiya dynasty
| Askia | |
|---|---|
| Royal house | |
Symbol depicting the Great Mosque of Djenné, with prominent protruding toron architecture characteristic of Askia rule. Today it features on the emblem of Mali. | |
| Country | Songhai Empire |
| Place of origin | Gao, Western Sahel |
| Founded | 12 April 1493 (Battle of Anfao) |
| Founder | Askia the Great |
| Final ruler | Askia Ishaq II |
| Traditions | Islam |
| Deposition | 13 March 1591 (Battle of Tondibi) |
| Cadet branches | Askia of Dendi (surviving nobles fled to Dendi and ruled from 1591-1901, deposed during the Scramble for Africa) |
The Askiya dynasty, also known as the Askia dynasty, ruled the Songhai Empire at the height of that state's power. It was founded in 1493 by Askia Mohammad I, a general of the Songhai Empire who usurped the Sonni dynasty. The Askiya ruled from Gao over the vast Songhai Empire until its defeat by a Saadi invasion force in 1591. After the defeat, the dynasty moved south back to its homeland and created several smaller kingdoms in what is today Songhai in south-western Niger and further south in the Dendi.