Askia muhammad came to power in 1493 and appointed islamic leaders to government positions in order to control which large empire?

The Songhai Empire.

Explanation:

Askia Mohamed I, the Great, also called Mohamed Ture (c. 1442-1538) was a Soninké king of the Songhai Empire. He strengthened his country and made it the largest in West Africa. Under his rule the Songhai Empire brought together the Hausa states to Kano (now Nigeria) and much of the territory that had belonged to the Mali Empire in the west. Its foreign policy achieved a rapid commercial expansion with Europe and Asia. He created many schools and made Islam an integral part of the Empire. He made a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1495-97.

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