Muhammad Ali's Seizure of Power

The process of Muhammad Ali's seizure of power in Egypt was a long three way civil war between the Ottoman Turks, Egyptian Mamluks who had ruled Egypt for centuries, and Albanian mercenaries in the service of the Ottomans. It ended in victory for the Albanians led by Muhammad Ali of Egypt (1769–1849).

The three-way struggle followed the French invasion of Egypt by Napoleon. After the French defeat by the British a power vacuum was created in Egypt. The Mamelukes had governed Egypt before the French invasion and still retained much power. Egypt was officially a part of the Ottoman Empire and Egypt still had many Ottoman Turkish troops who had been sent to evict the French. Many of the best Ottoman troops were from Albania, then a province of the Ottoman Empire.

Read more about Muhammad Ali's Seizure Of Power:  Albanians Under Thir Rise and Seize Cairo From Husrev Pasha, Muhammad Ali Assumes Control and Captures Ahmed Pasha, Capture of Husrev & Damietta, Ali Pasha Jazirli Attempts To Regain Control, Return & Flight of Al-Alfi, Al-Bardisi and The Albanians Fall Out, Muhammad Ali Ousts Khorshid, Defeat of The Mamelukes, Final Skirmishes

Famous quotes containing the words ali, seizure and/or power:

    That was always the difference between Muhammad Ali and the rest of us. He came, he saw, and if he didn’t entirely conquer—he came as close as anybody we are likely to see in the lifetime of this doomed generation.
    Hunter S. Thompson (b. 1939)

    Shut not so soon; the dull-eyed night
    Has not yet begun
    To make a seizure on the light,
    Or to seal up the sun.
    Robert Herrick (1591–1674)

    He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no harm shall touch you. In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword. You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes. At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the wild animals of the earth. For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and the wild animals shall be at peace with you.
    Bible: Hebrew, Job 5:19-23.