SONGHAY UNDER ASKIA THE GREAT 201 cipal centres of trade. Jenn6, which continued to be enriched by a great cotton industry, was looked upon as the principal market for internal trade. Timbuctoo governed the trade of the west and north-west, including relations with Morocco and the coast. Kagho, or Gao, governed the trade of the east and north-east, including relations with Egypt and Tripoli, but in the Haussa States Kano had long been an important trading centre ; and Gober, Zamfara, and Zaria — all rich in local produce, especially cotton, for which their soil and climate was said to be particularly fitted — possessed a well-established and busy trade. Aghadez formed a very wealthy station on the main north-eastern trade route, and it is not improbable that the cause of the war which occupied the armies of the Askia for two years had its origin in the commercial rivalry of that town with the town of Tekadda, on the borders of the vice-royalty of Bankou.

Systems of banking and credit, which seem to have existed under the kings of Melle, were improved. Banking remained chiefly in the hands of the Arabs, from whom letters of credit could be procured, which were operative throughout the Soudan, and were used by the black travelling merchants as well as by Arab traders. Commerce, as was to be expected, developed greatly under the encouragement and security given to it by the Askia's measures.

With the increase of commerce and luxury came also the gradual refinement and softening of manners which accompany wealth in a community where military service is no longer a universal obligation. The reforms of the great Askia did not neglect the department of morals. The great freedom prevailing in the intercourse of men and women was among the scandals for which he would seem to have endeavoured, but without much success, to legislate. He seems to have instituted a body of correctional police, who were charged with the prevention of any infringement of the laws. Women were placed on the