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| Egypt Flights Home » Rulers of Modern Egypt »Muhammad Ali Dynasty |
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Muhammad Ali Dynasty |
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The Muhammad Ali Dynasty ruled Egypt and Sudan from the late eighteenth to the first decade of the 20th century. Though Egypt was officially part of the Ottoman empire from 16th century to the the first decade of 20th century, but in reality the ruler of the Egypt for majority of time was the Muhammad Ali Dynasty.
The Albanian, Muhammad Ali, had joined the Ottoman army after his brief career as tobacco merchant. In the late 18th century, France conquered some parts of it under French control. In 1801, the Ottoman army was successful in evacuating the French from the country. But soon after, Egypt witnessed civil wars among different sects of the country. Chaos and anarchy prevailed as there was a political vacuum in the country.
Muhammad Ali, the young officer of Ottoman army who had shown his caliber in driving away the French troops, forced Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II to make the Wali, or Governor of Egypt in 1805. Muhammad Ali was an ambitious man who wanted to build a vast Empire "up to the Euphrates and the Tigris".
The strength of Muhammad Ali's army had threatened the Ottoman Sultan number of times. In 1821, Ali's army conquered Sudan. Later, circumstances led Muhammad Ali to have territories of of Crete (then known as Candia), administration for life over Acre and he gained hereditary rule over Egypt.
In the early years of his rule, Muhammad Ali concentrated in consolidating his power as Governor and used number of tactics to oppress anyone who threatened his position. However, it was Muhammad Ali who took up the responsibility of modernizing Egypt through a series of irrigation projects, rapid industrialization, agricultural reforms and setting up of educational institutes. Hence, he is claimed to be the "founder of modern Egypt."
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Muhammad Ali's successors
Muhammad Ali's health deteriorated in the later years and his son Ibrahim Pasa started ruling the country. But Ibrahim Pasa had an untimely death in 1848 and his nephew Abbas Pasha succeeded him. Abbas 1 was the son of Tosun Pasha, brother of Ibrahim.In July 1854, he was murdered by two of his slaves, and his uncle (who was actually younger than him), Said Pasha succeeded him. Said Pasha remained governor from 1854 to1863 and was succeeded by his nephew Isma'il Pasha of Egypt. Ismail Pasha consolidated his power in controlling rather than expanding it.
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Though Muhammad Ali and his descendants used the title of Khedive in preference to the lesser Wali, it was in this was not recognized by the Ottoman Porte until 1867 when Sultan Abdul-Aziz officially sanctioned its use by the Muhammad Ali dynasty
Though reformations were made by the Ali dynasty, Egypt gradually fell into heavy debt to the European powers. The completion of Suez Canal made Egypt an important hub of world transportation and trade. In 1882, Britain gained political and military control over Egypt in order to protect it's own financial interests. The government of Egypt was eliminated and the military was banned.
In 1914. Egypt became a protectorate of Britain and the country no longer remained part of the Ottoman Empire. The last governor, Abbas II was deposed and his uncle Husayn Kamil, was appointed as Sultan. However, large scale protest by the native Egyptians made Britain to give independence to Egypt. Even after that, the successors of Muhammad Ali remained the Sultan of Egypt. But contempt for the king among the public and number of political circumstances led to the abdication of the last king Farouk 1 in favor of his son. After that, Republic of Egypt was formed, thus ending the Muhammad Ali dynasty forever.
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