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Sakura
A renowned military commander of the Mali Empire who later rose to become Mansa.…
Timeline
- c. 1220–1284Mali Empire · MaliSakura entered the Malian military system from slavery, gaining the Mansa's trust through bravery and command ability in numerous campaigns, gradually becoming a core imperial commander, and taking part in wars against neighboring vassals and hostile powers between the 1230s and 1280s.
- 1285–1300Niani · MaliAround 1285 Sakura acceded as Mansa, continuing to consolidate the empire's frontiers and trade routes by military means and strengthening central control over vassals; he later launched the Hajj to Mecca and was killed in an attack on the return journey or en route, ending his brief but heavily militarized reign.
Sources
- Tarikh al-fattash — Mahmud Kati
- Cambridge History of Africa, Volume 3