Askia Isma'il

Askia Ismail was the sixth ruler of the Songhai Empire from 1537 – 1539, and fourth from the Askia dynasty. He was the son of Askia Mohammad I, the founder of the Askia dynasty, and Maryam Daabu, a member of the Malian royal family captured in 1501.

Ismail, a younger son, was sheltered by the Maghsharen-koi, the leader of the Tuareg community of Timbuktu, during his brother Musa's short reign of terror.^: 432

He was recalled to court by Askia Mohammed Benkan and given the king'd sister as a wife. Despite this, he plotted with his father, imprisoned on an island in the Niger river, to regain power.^: 436 The conspiracy came to fruition in April 1537 when Benkan was encamped at a village called Mansur. Benkan’s captains turned against him and he was deposed by the Dendi-fari, with them capturing and chaining up most of Benkan’s inner circle. Raised to power by the Dendi-fari, Askia Ismail was then able to release his father Askia Muhammad from Kangaba Island, bringing him home to Gao.

Ismail campaigned against Bakabula in Gurma. He gave charge of the cavalry to the Kurmina-fari 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 after this battle in December 1539 Ismail died.