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Isma'il Pasha proclaimed Khedive (Viceroy) of Egypt
Grandson of deceased Khedive Muhammad Ali, Pasha enjoyed a more autonomous Egypt against the backdrop of a waning Ottoman Empire. As the American Civil War (1861-65) raged on, Union forces blocked the export of slave-picked cotton. Britain began to import large quantities of Egyptian cotton instead, investing in modernisation reform for Egypt. -
Suez Canal opened
After taking 10 years to construct, Ismail Pasha opened the Suez Canal. It reduced the distance from London to the Gulf of Arabia by approximately 5,000 miles. -
Disraeli buys £4 Million shares in the Suez Canal Company
Over the course of Isma'il's premiership, Egyptian national debt went from £7 million to £100 million due to the modernisation investment. 44% of the Khedive's shares were sold to Disraeli, who had obtained a private loan from the Rothschilds without obtaining parliamentary consent. This would act as a springboard for increased British influence in Egypt. -
Colonel Gordon sent to Sudan as Governor-General
The increasingly British-backed Khedivate of Egypt had ruled Sudan since the 1820s, using slave labour from the Sudanese. Disraeli sent Gordon to further westernise Sudan and end the slave trade, which immediately caused an economic crisis. -
Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II deposes Ismail, installs his son Tewfiq as Khedive
Tewfiq's reign as Khedive was approved by the British and French, who increased investment into the Egyptian economy by increasing taxation on goods and reducing the national army by two thirds. -
Muhammad Ahmed proclaims himself the Mahdi and leads jihad
Sudan's Muslim population capitalises on a Khedivate busy with suppressing the Arabi Revolt, rallying around the Mahdi. -
Arabi Revolt begins
Colonel Arabi Pasha uses nationalist sentiment and discontent amongst Egyptians at being ruled by foreigners to launch a revolt. Riots in Alexandria that resulted in the death of 50 Europeans broke out in June, whilst the British chose to navally bombard the city the following month. -
Decisive battle of Tel-Al-Kabir
The Arabi Revolt is put down by the British at Tel, prompting Tewfiq to be re-installed as Khedive. -
Evelyn Baring becomes Consul-General of Egypt
The years of the 'veiled protectorate' begin, as confirmed by the 1885 Convention of London -
Mahdist victory in the Battle of Shaykan
Mahdist army defeats a poorly-trained Anglo-Egyptian army. Colonel Hicks is killed on the 5 November. -
Gladstone orders the evacuation of British troops from Sudan
British financial advisors judge the presence of Egyptian troops in Sudan to be too costly and order their withdrawal. Renowned for his aggression and pride, General Gordon decides to stay indefinitely and defend the city of Khartoum instead. -
Mahdists siege Khartoum, behead Gordon
Gladstone's relief expedition arrived two days too late, drawing harsh criticism domestically.