Buzz
Surpassing even Elon Musk, Bill Gates, or Gautam Adani, the ruler of ancient Mali Empire is now acclaimed as the wealthiest individual in world history.
When thinking of the wealthiest individuals globally, names like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Gautam Adani, and Bill Gates often come to mind first. However, their fortunes are based solely on current net worth figures, subject to fluctuations at any given time.
If we speak of wealth amassed in gold, salt, and land, meet Mansa Musa, the man hailed as the richest in human history. He possessed riches that not only surpassed today's tech billionaires and industrial-era shipping magnates but also the greatest rulers like Augustus Caesar, William the Conqueror, and Akbar I.
Monarch of the Mali Empire
According to historical records, Mansa Musa was the 9th ruler of the Mali Empire. In the Mandinka language, 'Mansa' means king or emperor. According to BBC, Musa Keita is believed to have been born around 1280 during the Keita dynasty.
Born into the royal family, he assumed power in 1312 when his brother, Mansa Abu-Bakr, abdicated to embark on a sea voyage. Historian Shibab al-Umari reports Abu-Bakr's departure with a fleet of about 2,000 ships carrying thousands, including men, women, and slaves, yet he never returned to Mali.
Subsequently, Mansa Musa became the 9th monarch of the West African kingdom, which was already considered exceedingly prosperous at the time of his coronation.
A realm abundant in salt, gold, and land.
Historians estimate that during Mansa Musa's reign, the Mali Empire was the world's largest producer of gold, owning more than half of the global supply.
Upon his ascension, with his governance, the kingdom continued to expand its trade, facilitating widespread growth of the empire. Mansa's wealth surged through the exploitation of salt and gold mines as well as the ivory trade.
However, salt and gold weren't the sole contributors to Mansa Musa's wealth. Under his rule, the kingdom flourished immensely. In terms of land, it spanned vast territories stretching over 3,000 km from the Atlantic Ocean to present-day Nigeria, encompassing over 24 cities, including Timbuktu.
There is information suggesting that this king has never lost any battle. In fact, many territories are even willing to join the Mali Empire due to the significantly higher quality of life here.
So, how rich was Mansa Musa really?
According to current estimates, his wealth is believed to range from $400 billion to $500 billion. While it's challenging to precisely calculate his assets in gold, salt, and land, many historians agree that his fortune is 'greater than anyone could imagine.'
However, what people remember when they think of Mansa Musa isn't just the mountains of gold but also his leadership, generosity, and visionary social development, making him the greatest leader of the Mali Empire.
Upon returning from his pilgrimage, he undertook the revival of cities within the kingdom. He also built schools, libraries, and mosques and helped Timbuktu become a center of culture and education.
Despite achieving many accomplishments, after Mansa Musa passed away at the age of 57 in 1337, his descendants still couldn't prevent the collapse of the empire.
Source: SCMP
