World Civilizations: African Kingdoms, Mongol Empire, and Asian Dynasties

Vocabulary review covering African city-states and kingdoms, the Mongol conquests and realms, Indian and Mughal dynasties, and the Ming Dynasty.

Kilwa

An extremely wealthy eastern African port city-state (now in Tanzania) that acquired goods from native tribes and sold them to Arab sea traders, gaining wealth and refinement.

Swahili

The native language of eastern African coastal city-states, shaped by a shared culture blending Arab, Persian, and African traditions.

Ghana

A wealthy African kingdom whose prosperity was based on gold and salt; it placed tariffs on goods and had a king considered one of the wealthiest before falling to an Islamic invasion and collapsing after its capital fell in 1203.

Mali

A wealthy African kingdom with an economy rooted in agriculture, gold, salt, and copper, which declined due to outside invasions and poor leadership following the death of its ruler Mansa Musa.

Timbuktu

The capital city of the Mali kingdom.

Mansa Musa

King of Mali who was recognized as the wealthiest man in the world.

Songhai

An empire that overthrew Mali and whose later leader gained control of trade routes before being defeated by Moroccan invaders armed with guns.

Sunni Ali

Leader of the Songhai who overthrew Mali and died by drowning in 1492.

Benin

A historic African forest kingdom.

Slaves

Identified as the main exports of Africa in regional trade networks.

Delhi Sultanate

The 3rd Muslim dynasty to rule India.

Vijayanagara

A state that developed trading points in coastal cities and engaged in commerce with Europe.

Genghis Khan (Temujin)

The first leader to unite the Mongols and organize them into an army; regarded as their greatest leader.

Kublai Khan

The leader who marked the 1st time China was ruled by a foreign leader; built roads, facilities, and established an open government.

Batu Khan

Mongol leader who led forces into Europe and conquered Russia, Hungary, Poland, and most of Eastern Europe.

Tartars

The name used in Europe to refer to Batu Khan and his Mongol forces.

Golden Horde

The realm of Batu Khan's Mongol empire that ruled over Russia.

Ivan III

A Russian grand prince who refused to pay taxes to the Mongols.

Tamerlane

Conqueror who claimed Genghis Khan as an ancestor, led an army to conquer southwest Muslim lands in Asia, captured Baghdad, and sacked parts of Russia and Delhi.

Babur

Leader known as the "tiger" who led an army of 12,000 men over mountains to invade India.

Akbar

The grandson of Babur and the most successful ruler of his dynasty, who became a dedicated Muslim ruler at age 13.

Taj Mahal

A monument commissioned by the ruler for his favorite wife.

Aurangzeb

The 3rd son to take over the empire, who imprisoned his father, executed his brother, and doubled the size of the kingdom.

Ming Dynasty

The dynasty that restored Chinese rule and reestablished traditional Chinese ways.