Askia Mohammad Benkan

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Askia Mohammad Benkan (also Askiya Muhammad Bonkana) ruled the Songhai Empire from 1531 to April 1537. After Mohammad Benkan's uncle, the famous and long-ruling monarch Askia Mohammad, had grown old and partially blind, his son Askia Musa deposed him in a bloodless coup, assuming the throne himself.

Shocked by Musa's ruthless actions to eliminate rivals Musa's brothers conspired together and killed him. Its was during this chaos that Benkan, the Kurmina-fari (the Kurmina Governor) and son of Umar Komadiakha (brother of Askia Mohammad), was able to seize control from Alu (one of the son's of Askia Mohammad) and take the position of Askia.

To secure his position Benkan then banished Askia Mohammad, his paternal uncle to the island of Kangaba, a locality close by on the western side of Gao. He appointed his brother Uthman to his former position as Kurmina-fari.

"Askia [Benkan] furbished the court splendidly, enlarging it, adorning it, and embellishing it with more courtiers than ever before. He supplied sumptuous garments, different types of musical instruments, and male and female singers. He gave out abundant largesse and benefactions. During his reign divine favours were bestowed, doors were opened, and blessings poured forth." - Tarikh al-Sudan

Benkan tried to reverse his uncle's policy of relying on the towns, preferring instead to gather support from the peasants. However after a series of military failures, most notably suffering a terrible defeat at the hands of Muhammadu Kanta, the Sarkin of Kebbi. Mohammad Benkan was himself deposed in 1537, and was succeeded by Askia Ishaq I son of Askia Mohammad.

Kanta was once the Leka-fari and a Barde, one of the great captains of Askia Mohammed. However Kanta had revolted against Askia and with his followers moved into the territory of the Kebbawa taking control and establishing the independent state of Kebbi.