The World Around 1600: The Songhai Empire is one of 9 topics in the Grade 10 History CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. Along which West African river was the Songhai Empire centred?
The Niger River
The Nile River
The Congo River
The Zambezi River
Answer: The Niger River — Songhai grew out of an earlier trading town on the Niger River and remained centred along it throughout its history as an empire.
Easy
2. Which ruler is regarded as Songhai's greatest military leader, expanding the empire and capturing Timbuktu in 1468?
Sonni Ali
Askia Muhammad
Mansa Musa
Ahmad al-Mansur
Answer: Sonni Ali — Sonni Ali (ruled approximately 1464-1492) expanded Songhai's territory considerably, capturing Timbuktu in 1468 and Djenne around 1473.
Medium
3. Which former general seized power after Sonni Ali and founded the Askia dynasty?
Answer: Askia Muhammad — Askia Muhammad, a former general, seized power after Sonni Ali's death and founded the Askia dynasty, further strengthening Songhai's administration.
