Under the Songhai empire, Dendi had been the easternmost province, governed by the prestigious Dendi-fari ("governor of the eastern front").

There, they resisted Moroccan Invaders and maintained the tradition of the Songhai with the same Askia rulers and their newly established capital at Lulami.

[2] The first ruler, Askia Ishaq II was deposed by his brother Muhammad Gao, who was in turn murdered on the order of the Moroccan pasha.

[4][5] After the Moroccans had Askia Sulayman appointed as their puppet the pasha, Mahmud ibn Zarqun, attempted to conquer the remaining smaller Songhai kingdoms Which was now centred in south-western Niger.

The Saadi were eventually able to regain the city, but with a lack of support from their homeland, they soon abandoned the area, leaving it to Tuareg and Fulbe nomads.

Upon attempting to send the foreign army back, he was deposed and replaced by a ruler that the pashas felt would be easier to deal with.