The Mali Empire (1240-1645) of West Africa was founded by Sundiata Keita (r. 1230-1255) following his victory over the kingdom of Sosso (c. 1180-1235). Sundiata's centralised government, diplomacy and well-trained army permitted a massive military expansion which would pave the way for a flourishing of the Mali Empire, making it the largest yet seen in Africa.
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Definition
Timeline
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250 BCE - 1100 CEThe city of Djenne-Djenno flourishes in West Africa.
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1230 CE - 1255 CEReign of Sundiata Keita, founder of the Mali Empire.
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1235 CESundiata Keita defeats Sumanguru, the king of Sosso, and establishes independence for the Malinke.
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1240 CE - 1645 CEThe Mali Empire rules in West Africa.
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c. 1240 CESundiata Keita conquers the territory of the Ghana Empire and founds the Mali Empire.
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c. 1255 CE - c. 1270 CEMansa Uli rules the Mali Empire.
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1312 CE - 1337 CEMansa Musa I rules the Mali Empire.
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1324 CEMansa Musa I, the ruler of the Mali Empire, famously visits Cairo and spends an enormous quantity of gold.
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1337 CE - 1341 CEMansa Maghan rules the Mali Empire.
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1341 CE - 1360 CEMansa Sulayman rules the Mali Empire.
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c. 1352 CEThe Muslim traveller Ibn Battuta visits the Mali Empire, including Timbuktu.
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1374 CE - 1387 CEMansa Musa II rules the Mali Empire.
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1468 CEKing Sunni Ali of the Songhai Empire conquers most of the Mali Empire.
