Which empire is associated with Sunni Ali as its first ruler?

Which empire is associated with Sunni Ali as its first ruler?

• A. Mali Empire
• B. Songhai Empire
• C. Great Zimbabwe
• D. Swahili City-States

Answer: (B)

Sunni Ali is remembered as the first ruler of the Songhai Empire in West Africa. He founded Songhai, made Gao a central capital, and expanded the state by conquering neighboring lands to control key trans-Saharan trade routes, laying the groundwork for a powerful empire that would later be built upon by his successors. The Mali Empire existed earlier and declined before Sunni Ali’s rise; Great Zimbabwe is in southern Africa with a different historical context; the Swahili City-States are along the East African coast. So, the empire associated with Sunni Ali as its first ruler is the Songhai Empire.

Sunni Ali is remembered as the first ruler of the Songhai Empire in West Africa. He founded Songhai, made Gao a central capital, and expanded the state by conquering neighboring lands to control key trans-Saharan trade routes, laying the groundwork for a powerful empire that would later be built upon by his successors. The Mali Empire existed earlier and declined before Sunni Ali’s rise; Great Zimbabwe is in southern Africa with a different historical context; the Swahili City-States are along the East African coast. So, the empire associated with Sunni Ali as its first ruler is the Songhai Empire.