Askia Ishaq I

Askiya Ishaq I
Emperor of the Songhai Empire
Reign	1539 – 1549
Predecessor	Askiya Ismail (ruled 1537–1539)
Successor	Askiya Dawud (ruled 1549–1582 or 1583)
Died	1549 (died a natural death) Kukiya
Issue	Abd al-Malik
Dynasty	Askiya Dynasty
Father	Ashiya al-hajj Muhammad

Askia Ishaq I was ruler of the Songhai Empire from 1539 to 1549, elected Askia following the death of Askiya Ismail. He was the fifth ruler of the Askiya Dynasty which had the town of Gao as its capital.

Askiya Ishaq I was completely ruthless as a ruler and executed any official whom he considered as a threat. The Tarikh al-Sudan gives this description: "If he imagined anyone was making the least move against the throne, he would, without exception, have him killed or banished. This was his consistent practice."

Askia Ishaq briefly occupied the Mali Empire capital in 1545/6.

After a request from the Moroccan sultan Muhammad Al-Arak, to cede the salt mines of Taghaza, Ishaq I sent a group of 2000 mounted men to raid a market town in the Dara valley of southern Morocco with instructions to avoid killing anyone. This was intended as a show of strength.

Askiya Ishaq I died in the town of Kukiya and was buried there. He was succeeded by his brother Askiya Dawud.

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Wikipedia