The richest person who ever lived - BBC REEL

Summary

In 1324, Mansa Musa, the emperor of Mali, led a legendary pilgrimage to Mecca, passing through Cairo with an entourage that overwhelmed the city with riches. His wealth, largely derived from Mali's vast gold resources, is believed to exceed that of modern billionaires, with estimates of his net worth ranging from $400 to $600 billion. Under his reign, the Mali Empire flourished, particularly in education, with Timbuktu housing 80 universities in the 1400s. Despite his empire's decline after his death, Mansa Musa's legacy as one of the wealthiest rulers in history remains influential, although his story is often overlooked in Western history.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mansa Musa, emperor of Mali, is believed to be the wealthiest human in history, with an estimated net worth between $400 billion and $600 billion.
• 😀 Mansa Musa's famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 left a lasting impression on Cairo, as he distributed vast amounts of gold, which led to an economic collapse in the city for ten years.
• 😀 The Mali Empire, under Mansa Musa, was one of the most powerful and prosperous states in the medieval period, stretching from the Atlantic coast to modern-day Niger.
• 😀 Mansa Musa ruled over regions rich in gold, which played a significant role in the wealth of the empire, especially during a time when economies were based on a gold standard.
• 😀 Mansa Musa was a devout Muslim, and his pilgrimage and subsequent investments in Islamic scholarship helped foster a golden age in cities like Timbuktu, which had 80 universities by the 1400s.
• 😀 The Mali Empire became a center for Islamic learning, attracting scholars from all over the world to study subjects such as law, astronomy, and theology.
• 😀 Despite Mansa Musa’s immense wealth and contributions to education and culture, the Mali Empire began to decline in the 15th century due to the rise of rival empires and changing trade routes.
• 😀 Mansa Musa’s death in 1337 did not immediately lead to the empire's collapse, as his sons continued to rule, but the decline began shortly thereafter.
• 😀 Western historical narratives often overlook the greatness of Mansa Musa and the Mali Empire due to the colonial legacy and the impacts of the Atlantic slave trade on perceptions of Africa.
• 😀 The European view of Africa, shaped by colonialism, has distorted the true history of African empires and their intellectual, political, and economic power.
• 😀 Mansa Musa’s reign challenges the contemporary Western understanding of Africa, presenting an image of a prosperous, literate, and powerful civilization far removed from stereotypical views of the continent.

Q & A

What event took place in Cairo in 1324 that left its citizens in awe?

In 1324, Cairo was taken by storm when Mansa Musa, the emperor of Mali, marched through its streets with a large entourage of thousands of people, including soldiers, courtiers, traders, scholars, and slaves, all laden with gold. The display of wealth was so immense that it caused the Cairo economy to crash.

Why was Mansa Musa believed to be the richest person in history?

Mansa Musa is considered the richest person in history due to his vast wealth, which was primarily sourced from the gold-rich Mali Empire. Estimates of his net worth vary, with some suggesting figures adjusted for inflation between $400 billion and $600 billion, surpassing the wealth of modern billionaires.

What regions did the Mali Empire span under Mansa Musa's rule?

The Mali Empire under Mansa Musa extended from the Atlantic coast of West Africa to the deserts of modern-day Niger, making it a vast and powerful empire.

What role did gold play in the wealth of the Mali Empire?

Gold was central to the wealth of the Mali Empire, with the region being home to some of the purest gold in the medieval world. This gold was vital for the empire’s economy and international trade, especially during an era where gold standards were dominant.

How did Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage to Mecca influence his rule?

Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 inspired him to return to Mali and invest heavily in the cultural and intellectual development of his empire, particularly through the cultivation of Islamic scholarly traditions in cities like Timbuktu.

What significant developments occurred in Timbuktu during Mansa Musa's reign?

Under Mansa Musa's rule, Timbuktu became a major center of learning, with 80 universities by the 1400s. Scholars from around the world came to study subjects like Islamic law, astronomy, and theology, making it a hub for education and intellectual exchange.

How did Mansa Musa contribute to the spread of Islam in West Africa?

Mansa Musa was a devout Muslim who used his wealth and influence to promote Islamic education and culture throughout the Mali Empire, especially in cities like Timbuktu, which became key centers for Islamic scholarship in West Africa.

What happened to the Mali Empire after Mansa Musa’s death?

After Mansa Musa’s death around 1337, the Mali Empire continued to thrive under the rule of his sons. However, by the 15th century, the empire began to decline due to the rise of rival empires and shifts in trade patterns.

Why has Mansa Musa largely disappeared from Western historical narratives?

Mansa Musa's legacy has been largely forgotten in the Western historical imagination due to the impact of colonialism and the Atlantic slave trade, which reshaped European views of Africa and Africans, obscuring the true wealth and power of African empires like Mali.

What does the story of Mansa Musa reveal about African history before European colonialism?

The story of Mansa Musa challenges common stereotypes about Africa. It highlights a period when African empires like Mali were among the wealthiest and most powerful in the world, with sophisticated educational systems and influential leaders, long before the marginalizing effects of colonialism.