How did Askia Muhammad govern Songhai?

He drew upon traditional methods and established a council of elders.
He appointed Muslim officials to oversee taxes, trade, and law across the empire.
He created a strong central government with five provinces ruled by governors.
He relocated the capital city to get better control of the natural resources.

1 answer

Askia Muhammad governed the Songhai Empire by implementing several effective methods that strengthened the state and enhanced its administration. Among the options provided, the most accurate description of his governance is:

He created a strong central government with five provinces ruled by governors.

Under his rule, Askia Muhammad centralized authority, established a formal government structure, and divided the empire into provinces, each overseen by appointed governors. This helped ensure more efficient administration and control over the vast empire, which spanned across diverse regions in West Africa. His leadership also emphasized the promotion of Islam and the establishment of a system to manage trade and legal matters effectively.