1.1.6

Control of Sudan

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Control into the Sudan 1820–1885

As Britain expanded into Egypt, Sudan too became increasingly under their influence.

Egyptian conquest

Egyptian conquest

  • Muhammad Ali Pasha's forced took control of the Sudan from 1820–1824.
    • This established Turkish Sudan (also known as the Turkiyya).
  • Muhammad Ali enslaved thousands of Sudanese people, initially to fight in his army, and later as agricultural labour.
  • Turkish Sudan lasted from 1820–1885.
1877

1877

  • Disraeli sent Colonel Charles Gordon to Sudan as the ‘Governor-General’ of Sudan, which was then ruled as part of Isma'il Pasha's Khedivate.
    • At this point, the Khedivate was heavily dependent on Britain economically.
  • Sudan's Muslim population had been subjected to Isma'il's attempts to Westernise Sudan, and were wary of further rule from British figures like Gordon.
  • Gordon aimed to end the slave trade in Sudan, which caused an economic crisis and angered the slave traders.
1881

1881

  • Muhammad Ahmed proclaimed himself ‘Mahdi’ (guided one) and proclaimed a jihad (holy war) against all foreign powers.
  • The Mahdi is a warrior figure in Islamic tradition who is prophesied to appear before the Day of Judgement.
  • The Khedivate was fighting the Arabi Revolt in Egypt, and so the Mahdist army was able to grow in power relatively unchecked.
1883

1883

  • In 1883, the Mahdist army defeated British and Egyptian troops at the Battle of Sheikan.
  • Gladstone’s Anglo-Egyptian counter-attack failed and Colonel William Hicks was killed.
1884

1884

  • Gladstone ordered the evacuation of British troops from Sudan.
  • Gordon refused to retreat, instead deciding to defend the city of Khartoum from within
Seige of Khartoum 1885

Seige of Khartoum 1885

  • On 26th January 1885, the Mahdists seiged Khartoum.
  • Gordon was beheaded and the Mahdi ordered his head to be displayed.
  • Gladstone's relief operation arrived two days later.
  • Britain did not attempt to take control of the Sudan again until 1896.
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1

High Water Mark of the British Empire, 1857-1914

1.1

Development of Imperialism, 1857-1890

1.1.1Empires over Time1.1.2Key Questions About Empires1.1.3Expansion into Africa1.1.4History of Egypt1.1.5Control of Egypt1.1.6Control of Sudan
1.2

Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1857-1890

1.2.1The British Empire & India1.2.2The British Raj1.2.3International Relations with other Powers1.2.4Scramble for Africa1.2.5The Informal Empire
1.3

Trade & Commerce, 1857-1890

1.3.1Trade & Commerce in the Empire1.3.2Infrastructure of Trade & Commerce1.3.3Products of Trade & Commerce
1.4

Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1857-1890

1.4.1Explorers1.4.2Missionaries1.4.3Traders & Colonial Administrators1.4.4Government Attitudes Towards Imperialism
1.5

Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1857-1890

1.5.1Relations with India1.5.2Relations with South Africa1.5.3British-Boer Relations
2

Imperial Consolidation & Liberal Rule, 1890-1914

2.1

Consolidation & Expansion in Africa, 1890-1914

2.1.1Consolidation & Expansion into Africa2.1.2Consolidation & Expansion in South Africa2.1.3Historical Interpretations: Expansion into Africa
2.2

Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1890-1914

2.2.1Policy in India2.2.2Policy in Egypt2.2.3Native Policy in Colonies2.2.4International Relations with Other Powers
2.3

Trade & Commerce, 1890-1914

2.3.1The Benefits of Trade2.3.2Costs of the Empire2.3.3Debates Over Trade
2.4

Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914

2.4.1Key Administrators - Chamberlain & Rhodes2.4.2Key Administrators - Baring & Milner2.4.3Key Administrators - Curzon2.4.4Government Attitudes to the Empire2.4.5National Efficiency & the Boer War2.4.6Popular Attitudes Towards Imperialism
2.5

Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1890-1914

2.5.1Challenges in India2.5.2Challenges in Africa2.5.3Challenges in South Africa2.5.4Historical Interpretations of the Boer War2.5.5Relations & Business with Iran
3

Imperialism Challenged, 1914-1967

3.1

Expansion & Contraction of Empire, 1914-1947

3.1.1Impact of WW13.1.2Palestine3.1.3Ireland & WW13.1.4Impact of WW2 on the British Empire
3.2

Colonial Policy & Administration, 1914-1947

3.2.1Administration in India & Palestine3.2.2Administration in Iraq & the Dominions3.2.3Imperial Defence
3.3

Trade, Commerce & Economic Impact of War

3.3.1Economic Impact of WW13.3.2Inter-War Trade & Commerce3.3.3Economic Impact of WW2
3.4

Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914

3.4.1Colonial Administrators3.4.2Trusteeship3.4.3Gandhi3.4.4Montagu, Haig & Linlithgow3.4.5Cameron, Mitchell, Cohen & Furse - African Admins3.4.6Imperialist Ideals
3.5

Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1914-1947

3.5.1Ireland & India 1914-19473.5.2The Middle East and Africa
4

The Wind of Change, 1947-1967

4.1

Decolonisation in Africa & Asia, 1947-1967

4.1.1Reasons for Decolonisation4.1.2Decolonisation in East & West Africa4.1.3Decolonisation in Central & South Africa4.1.4Decolonisation in Asia
4.2

Colonial Policy & Administration, 1947-1967

4.2.1Relations & Business with Iran after WW24.2.2The 'Winds of Change'4.2.3The Suez Canal Crisis - 19564.2.4International Relations 1947-1967
4.3

Trade & Commerce, 1947-1967

4.3.1The Economic Impact of WW2
4.4

Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1947-1967

4.4.1Colonial Administrators: Cohen & Arden-Clarke4.4.2Local Leaders in the Independence Movement4.4.3Pan-Africanism in Nationalism
4.5

Post-Colonial Ties, 1947-1967

4.5.1Windrush & Immigration4.5.2Commonwealth Immigrants Act4.5.3Residual Impact of the Empire
4.6

Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1947-1967

4.6.1Challenges to Colonial Rule Post 19474.6.2Kenya & the Mau Mau Uprising4.6.3Nigeria & Rhodesia

Practice questions on Control of Sudan

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  1. 1
    In 1877, who was sent to Sudan as the Governor General?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    When was Colonel William Hicks killed?Multiple choice
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Control of Egypt

The British Empire & India