Songhai Empire

State · 1463–1608 CE · at its largest around 1564 CE

A West African empire centred on Gao along the Niger, expanded by Sunni Ali and the Askia dynasty, which collapsed after a Moroccan army defeated it at the Battle of Tondibi in 1591.

On its lands while it lasted

Askia Muhammad I (c. 1443 CE – 1538 CE): Emperor of Songhai from 1493 to 1528 who expanded and centralised the empire and promoted Islamic learning in Timbuktu.
Songhai Empire (c. 1464–1591 CE): Empire centred on Gao that under Sunni Ali and Askia Muhammad became one of the largest states in African history before falling to a Moroccan invasion in 1591.
Gao (c. 1464 CE): Capital of Songhai Empire (1464–1591).
Battle of Tondibi (1591 CE): Moroccan army of the Saadi dynasty, equipped with firearms, defeated the Songhai near Gao, bringing about the collapse of the Songhai Empire.