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What is the history of the Kingdom of Benin?
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The Kingdom of Benin, or Edo as it was once known, was an African empire located in what is now southern Nigeria. Founded in the 13th century, the kingdom was ruled by the dynasty of Obas (kings) for roughly 600 years. During this period, the kingdom grew and prospered, becoming an influential presence in West Africa. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the kingdom’s wealth increased with its production of both textiles and metalwork. Though the Kingdom of Benin was defeated by the British in 1897 and its last Oba of the Edo dynasty was exiled, its influence sometimes remains today throughout the region.