The British Empire in Egypt

By rosaellenambler

  • Isma'il Pasha becomes Khedive

    His rule brought more spending and borrowing.
    Reason: He aimed to turn Egypt into a powerful, semi-independent modern state.

  • Opening of the Suez Canal

    Ceremonial inauguration near Port Said.
    Reason: The canal cut thousands of miles from the route to India, elevating British strategic concern for control over Egypt.

  • Public debt reaches £80 million

    Egypt took on large debts from British and French bankers to fund railways, telegraphs, and army reforms.
    Reason: Modernization ambitions exceeded state revenues, drawing Britain into Egyptian finances.

  • Disraeli purchases half share in Suez Canal

    Disraeli secured a loan for £4,000,000 from the Rothschilds to finance the purchase.
    Reason: To guarantee British influence over the canal and pre-empt French dominance.

  • Deposition of Ismaʿil Pasha; Tewfik Pasha installed as Khedive

    Britain and France pressured the Ottoman Sultan to remove him.
    Reason: Creditors blamed Ismaʿil for fiscal collapse and wanted a compliant Khedive.

  • Muhammad Ahmad declared himself the Mahdi

    Sudanese religious leader Muhammad Ahmad proclaimed himself the Mahdi (“Guided One”).
    Why important: This united widespread anger against oppressive Egyptian rule (acting under British influence), high taxation, slave trade restrictions, and economic hardship.

  • Urabi revolt begins

    Led by Colonel Ahmed ‘Urabi.
    Reason: Reaction to foreign domination, unequal treatment of Egyptian officers, and resentment of economic hardship.

  • Alexandria riots

    Violence erupted between Egyptians and Europeans. 50 europeans killed and 100 Egyptians killed.
    Reason: Rising anger at European control and fear of foreign intervention.
  • Period: to

    British naval bombardment of Alexandria

    British forces shelled the city after tensions escalated.
    Reason: Britain claimed to protect the Suez Canal and Europeans (after the riots) ; it was also a prelude to full intervention.

  • British entry into Cairo: veiled protectorate

    The occupation effectively began.
    Reason: To stabilize the country under a “veiled protectorate” that maintained nominal Ottoman and Khedival rule but ensured real British control.

  • Destruction of Hicks Pasha’s army at Shaykan

    A 10,000–12,000-strong Egyptian army under British officer William Hicks was annihilated.
    Why important: The largest Egyptian force in Sudan was wiped out, making Mahdist control of most of the countryside inevitable.
  • Period: to

    siege of Khartoum

    General Charles Gordon, sent by Britain to organise evacuation, refused to leave and instead defended Khartoum.
    Why important: The siege became a major imperial crisis and dominated British politics.

  • Fall of Khartoum and death of General Gordon

    Mahdist forces overran Khartoum; Gordon was beheaded.
    Why important: A symbolic Mahdist victory and major humiliation for Britain. Created the independent Mahdist state.