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Mali Empire, founded by King Sundiata Keita, marked the most flourishing period in the history of Mali. The Empire of Mali gained greater wealth and recognition under the rule of Mansa Musa.
Mali was a small kingdom situated towards the north of Niger River. From 1235 AD onwards, it became a strong empire when King Sundiata Keita organized his force against southern Soninke to establish this great kingdom. Mali Empire was built around Niani, which was Sundiata's birth place. Under the leadership of Sundiata, Mali grew as a rich farming area. Mali was also very rich in gold reserves. Bumbuk and Bure were the chief gold fields of the empire of Mali. Under the leadership of the great kings, like Sundiata and Mansa Musa, the vast Mali Empire eventually spread from the Atlantic coast to Gao.
Mali Empire flourished with monopolization of gold trade and development of the agriculture along River Niger. The chief source of prosperity of Empire Mali was the revenues collected from the trade of gold. Niger River had a great contribution toward the rise of Malian Empire as it served as the main route of transport and trade. The collapse of Mali Empire began with the revolt of several states against Mali to defend their independence. The states that rose against Mali Empire were Tuareg, Tukulor and Wolof. Mali Empire reached its zenith around the fourteenth century but soon after the death of Mansa Sulayman the empire was raided by external forces. Mali Empire resisted all the revolts and existed for another 200 years. By the end of seventeenth century, Mali Empire was broken into small independent chiefdoms.
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