Mansa Musa and Timbuktu
I can describe how Timbuktu developed under Mansa Musa's rule.
Mansa Musa and Timbuktu
I can describe how Timbuktu developed under Mansa Musa's rule.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- When Mansa Musa returned from the Hajj he spent time in one of the cities that his generals had conquered.
- This city was Timbuktu, and Mansa Musa ordered great mosques to be built there to spread Islam.
- Under Mansa Musa's rule, Timbuktu became very important for trade, with desert caravans linking it to North Africa.
- It also became a place of learning and education with one of the mosques made into a place for teaching.
- Scholars travelled from all over the Islamic world to learn about history, Islam and law.
Keywords
Mosque - a mosque is a Muslim place of worship
Islam - Islam is the religion of Muslims
Caravan - a caravan is group of people travelling together on camels, usually to sell things
Scholar - a scholar is a person who studies a particular subject
Common misconception
Pupils may confuse the term caravan.
Explain to pupils that a group of camels is called a caravan.
To help you plan your year 2 history lesson on: Mansa Musa and Timbuktu, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 2 history lesson on: Mansa Musa and Timbuktu, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 1 history lessons from the Ruling and religion unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended