Which statement describes Askia Mohammad's impact on Songhai?

• A. Explorer who documented Africa's coasts
• B. Emperor of the Songhai Empire; expanded it to its largest extent
• C. Leader of the Mali empire
• D. Founder of Great Zimbabwe

Answer: (B)

Askia Mohammad’s impact on Songhai is best shown by his role as emperor who expanded the empire to its largest extent. He seized the throne in the late 15th century and built a centralized bureaucracy that included provincial governors, reformed tax collection, and a professional army. He also promoted Islam as the state-supported religion, which helped unite diverse peoples and strengthen governance and trade. This combination of administrative strength and religious legitimacy enabled Songhai to control key trans-Saharan trade routes and major centers like Timbuktu and Jenne, marking the empire’s peak size and power.

This isn’t about an explorer who documented Africa’s coasts, nor about the Mali empire’s ruler, nor about the founder of Great Zimbabwe.