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| Egypt Flights Home » Rulers of Modern Egypt |
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Rulers of Modern Egypt |
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Egypt, famous for it's ancient civilization, has been invaded and controlled by many foreign rules in different phases of time. During the second decade of sixteenth century, the Ottoman emperor, Selim
conquered Egypt, but the French took control in some parts of the country in late eighteenth century. If we consider the rulers of modern Egypt, then the first name that comes to our mind is Muhammad Ali who is said to be "founder of modern Egypt”. From his time to the present President, there have been number of rulers of modern Egypt.
Muhammad Ali dynasty
Muhammad Ali was the Albanian officer of Ottoman army who showed his caliber in driving away the French . He was subsequently appointed as the Wali (Governor in Arabic) of Egypt.
Muhammad Ali gradually took over the control of the whole country. He did number of public works including irrigation projects, agricultural reforms and increased industrialization. For the vast reform measures that Muhammad Ali did for Egypt, he is regarded as the "founder of modern Egypt”.
Though Egypt remained part of the Ottoman Empire officically, it was in reality ruled by Muhammad Ali's dynasty till 1882. After Muhammad Ali, his grandson Isma'il Pasha consolidated the control over Egypt and made various measures of reform. It was in 1867, the Ottoman emperor Sultan Abdul-Aziz officially sanctioned the use of the title Khedive meaning lord for Isma'il Pasha and his successors.
British Rule
Though, reformation was done by Muhammad Ali dynasty, Egypt gradually fall into the debt to European powers. The completion of Suez Canal in 1869, is a turning point in the history of Egypt as it became the important hub of world transportation and trade. In 1882, Britain took political and military control over the government of Egypt in order to protect Britain's financial interests.
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In 1914. Britain declared the protectorate over Egypt and the country no longer remained part of the Ottoman Empire. The last governor was deposed and his uncle Husayn Kamil, was appointed as Sultan. However, the control of United Kingdom on Egypt was never accepted by the native Egyptians. Right from 1882, there has been dissent among the people towards the British actions and gradually it took the shape of a nationalist movement. Political parties were formed and different political situations gave rise to the first modern revolution of Egypt for independence in 1919.
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Declaration of Independence
The British was ultimately compelled to issue a unilateral declaration of Egypt's independence on February 22, 1922.In 1923, a new constitution was drafted by the new government of Egypt The nationalist leader Saad Zaghlul was popularly-elected as Prime Minister in 1924. In 1936 the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty was concluded
Though independence was gained, there was a king at the head of the government of Egypt. Soon public dissent arose towards the king for various reasons like prevalence of British control over Egypt, instable governments, lavish lifestyle of the king, corruption in the government offices, loss of 1948 war to Israel.
Formation of Republic of Egypt
There was a growing unrest in the army and the “free officer's movement” was formed by some army personnel. On July 23, 1952 there was a military coup led by General Mohamed Naguib that ousted the then King Farouk I. Thus monarchy was abolished and there were new set of rulers of modern Egypt. On June 1953, the Republic of Egypt was declared making General Mohamed Naguib the first President. But on 1954, Gamal Abdel Nasser, the main person behind the coup made Naguib to resign and put him under house arrest.
Gamal Abdel Nasser remained the President till 1967 when he died. He was succeeded by another officer of the free officer's movement, Anwar Sadat. He remained as President till 1981 when he was assasinated. After him, Hoshni Mobarak, a higher official in the Egyptian air force, became President. Till 2005, the President was chosen by the referendum in the People's Assembly. But protests in large scale made Mobarak to change the constitution and direct presidential election was held in September 005. However, the winner emerged was Hoshni Mobarak, the present president of Republic of Egypt.
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