<P> The Ghana Empire may have been an established kingdom as early as the 6th century CE, founded among the Soninke, a Mandé people who lived at the crossroads of this new trade, around the city of Kumbi Saleh . Ghana was first mentioned by Arab geographer Al - Farazi in the late 8th century . After 800, the empire expanded rapidly, coming to dominate the entire western Sudan; at its height, the empire could field an army of 200,000 soldiers . </P> <P> Ghana was inhabited by urban dwellers and rural farmers . The urban dwellers were the administrators of the empire, who were Muslims, and the Ghana (king), who practised traditional religion . Two towns existed, one where the Muslim administrators and Berber - Arabs lived, which was connected by a stone - paved road to the king's residence . The rural dwellers lived in villages, which joined together into broader polities that pledged loyalty to the Ghana . The Ghana was viewed as divine, and his physical well - being reflected on the whole society . Ghana converted to Islam around 1050, after conquering Aoudaghost . </P> <P> The Ghana Empire grew wealthy by taxing the trans - Saharan trade that linked Tiaret and Sijilmasa to Aoudaghost . Ghana controlled access to the goldfields of Bambouk, southeast of Koumbi Saleh . A percentage of salt and gold going through its territory was taken . The empire was not involved in production . </P> <P> In the 10th century, however, Islam was steadily growing in the region, and due to various influences, including internal dynastic struggles coupled with competing foreign interests (namely Almoravid intervention). By the 11th century, Ghana was in decline . It was once thought that the sacking of Koumbi Saleh by Berbers under the Almoravid dynasty in 1076 was the cause . This is no longer accepted . Several alternative explanations are cited . One important reason is the transfer of the gold trade east to the Niger River and the Taghaza Trail, and Ghana's consequent economic decline . Another reason cited is political instability through rivalry among the different hereditary polities . The empire came to an end in 1230, when Takrur in northern Senegal took over the capital . </P>

Which of the following african kingdoms can be found in west africa