Golden age under the reign of Ahmad al-Mansur (sep 24, 1578 – jan 13, 1603)
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Ahmad al-Mansur was Sultan of the Sa'adi dynasty from 1578 to his death in 1603, the sixth and most famous of all rulers of the Sa'adis. Ahmad al-Mansur was an important figure in both Europe and Africa in the sixteenth century. His powerful army and strategic location made him as an important leader in the late renaissance period.
Ahmad al-Mansur succeeded his brother, 'Abd al-Malik in August 1578. During the early years of his rule, a largely mercenaries army was trained and led by Ottoman Turks. The administrative system of the government was centralized, important state officials were handled systematically and exempted from taxation. A survey of property was made and land revenue was collected directly. Agriculture and the sugar industry were developed. The cities of Gao and Timbuktu on the Sudanese trade route were captured in1519, thus deriving an immense amount of gold to the central treasury, which earned him the title al-Dhahabi.
He established trade and diplomatic relations with Spain, effectively breaking the monopoly system since 1585 by the Barbary Company, which had been formed by British merchants to control foreign trade. With the help of Spanish and Turkish mercenaries, he managed to establish Morocco's first professional army.
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14th-16th century of Maghrib
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