Kilwa Sultanate at Commercial Peak
1404
The Swahili trading city of Kilwa Kisiwani on the East African coast dominated Indian Ocean commerce in gold, ivory, and enslaved people. Its sultan minted copper coins that circulated across the western Indian Ocean, built the Great Mosque with coral stone vaults, and hosted merchants from Gujarat, Hormuz, and Zheng He's approaching treasure fleets. It was arguably the wealthiest city in sub-Saharan Africa.
In context
Also in 1404 (3 other events on record)
- Yongle Emperor Orders Forbidden City Construction · East Asia · Technology
- Ruy Gonzalez de Clavijo Rides to Samarkand · Central Asia · Exploration
- Konrad Kyeser Writes Bellifortis · Europe · Technology
Before and after in Africa
Before and after in Politics
Era
Late Middle Ages (1301–1500), one of 874 events from that era on Saeculum.