1.1.6
Control of Sudan
Control into the Sudan 1820–1885
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.
1High Water Mark of the British Empire, 1857-1914
1.1Development of Imperialism, 1857-1890
1.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1857-1890
1.3Trade & Commerce, 1857-1890
1.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1857-1890
1.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1857-1890
2Imperial Consolidation & Liberal Rule, 1890-1914
2.1Consolidation & Expansion in Africa, 1890-1914
2.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1890-1914
2.3Trade & Commerce, 1890-1914
2.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
2.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1890-1914
3Imperialism Challenged, 1914-1967
3.1Expansion & Contraction of Empire, 1914-1947
3.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1914-1947
3.3Trade, Commerce & Economic Impact of War
3.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
3.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1914-1947
4The Wind of Change, 1947-1967
4.1Decolonisation in Africa & Asia, 1947-1967
4.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1947-1967
4.3Trade & Commerce, 1947-1967
4.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1947-1967
4.5Post-Colonial Ties, 1947-1967
4.6Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1947-1967
Jump to other topics
1High Water Mark of the British Empire, 1857-1914
1.1Development of Imperialism, 1857-1890
1.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1857-1890
1.3Trade & Commerce, 1857-1890
1.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1857-1890
1.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1857-1890
2Imperial Consolidation & Liberal Rule, 1890-1914
2.1Consolidation & Expansion in Africa, 1890-1914
2.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1890-1914
2.3Trade & Commerce, 1890-1914
2.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
2.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1890-1914
3Imperialism Challenged, 1914-1967
3.1Expansion & Contraction of Empire, 1914-1947
3.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1914-1947
3.3Trade, Commerce & Economic Impact of War
3.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
3.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1914-1947
4The Wind of Change, 1947-1967
4.1Decolonisation in Africa & Asia, 1947-1967
4.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1947-1967
4.3Trade & Commerce, 1947-1967
4.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1947-1967
4.5Post-Colonial Ties, 1947-1967
4.6Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1947-1967
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