Timbuktu

:This article is about Timbuktu, the Mali city. For the artist, see Timbuktu. For the region, see Tombouctou Region

Ravage and Decline

The city began to decline after explorers and slavers from Portugal and then other European countries landed in West Africa, providing an alternative to the slave market of Timbuktu and the trade route through the world's largest desert. The decline was hastened when it was invaded by Morisco mercenaries armed with European-style guns in the service of the Moroccan sultan in 1591.

Related Topics:
Portugal - Trade route - Morisco - Moroccan - 1591

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In 1824, the Paris-based Société de Géographie offered a 10,000 franc prize to the first non-Muslim to reach the town and return with information about it. Scot Gordon Laing made it in September 1826, but was killed shortly after by local Muslims who were fearful of European discovery and intervention. Frenchman René Caillé arrived in 1828 traveling alone and disguised as Muslim; he was able to safely return and claim the prize.

Related Topics:
1824 - Société de Géographie - Muslim - Gordon Laing - 1826 - René Caillé - 1828

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It is probable that American sailor Robert Adams had been there in 1811 as a slave after his ship wrecked off the African coast. Only two other Europeans reached the city before 1890: Heinrich Barth in 1853 and Oskar Lenz in 1880.

Related Topics:
Robert Adams - 1811 - 1890 - Heinrich Barth - 1853 - Oskar Lenz - 1880

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In the 1990s, Timbuktu came under attack from Tuareg people hoping to build their own state. The Tuareg Rebellion was symbolically ended with a weapons burning in the town in 1996.

Related Topics:
1990s - Tuareg Rebellion - Weapon - 1996

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