Dynastic Struggles
Ismail, a younger son, joined an abortive rebellion against his brother Musa, and was sheltered by the ''Maghsharen-koi'', the leader of the Tuareg community of Timbuktu, in the aftermath. He was recalled to court by Askia Mohammed Benkan, given the king's sister as a wife, and made to swear a public loyalty oath. Despite this, he plotted with his father, imprisoned on an island in the Niger river, to regain power. The conspiracy came to fruition in April 1537 when Benkan was encamped at a village called Mansur, site of the murder of his own predecessor Musa. Benkan’s captains turned against him and he was deposed by the Dendi-fari, who then proclaimed Ismail as Askia.Reign
Ismail's reign began inauspiciously, with a heart attack on his coronation day. In June 1537 he brought his father back from exile and was crowned again as ''khalifa''. He campaigned against Bakabula in Gurma. He gave charge of the cavalry to '' Kurmina-fari'' Hammad and instructed them to chase and engage Bakabula until Ismail arrived. In the ensuing battle they lost over 900 horsemen. However they succeeded in killing Bakabula and were able to take a large amount of booty. Shortly afterwards, in December 1539, Ismail died.See
*'' Tarikh al-fattash'' – Chronicle giving the history of the Songhay Empire *'' Tarikh al-Sudan'' – Chronicle giving the history of the Songhay EmpireReferences
External links
* People from the Songhai Empire 16th-century deaths {{Africa-royal-stub