Mahdiism and the Egyptian Sudan

MAHDIISM

AND THE EGYPTIAN SUDAN

BEING AN ACCOUNT OF THE RISE AND

PROGRESS OF MAHDIISM, AND OF SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

IN THE SUDAN TO THE PRESENT TIME

BY

Major F. R. ^INGATE, D.S.O., R.A.

ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL FOR INTELLIGENCE, EGYPTIAN ARMY

WITH SO MAPS AND PLANS

HonHon

MACMILLAN AND CO.AND NEW YORK

1891* H'

All rights reserved

INTRODUCTION

IiY

MAJOE-GENEEAL SIE FEANCIS GEENFELL, K.C.B.,

SIRDAR OF THE EGYPTIAN ARMY.

Much has been said and written concerning Mahdiism, but itis doubtful whether the somewhat complex nature of this andother religious movementssuch as that of Senussi, Morghani,

etc.has ever been well understood by the general public.Considerable light was thrown on these matters by thecapture at the action of Toski of a manuscript book containinga number of decrees, ordinances, and letters of the late so-called

MahdiMohammed Ahmedand of his Khalifa, AbdullahTaashi, and also from information obtained from the largenumber of prisoners taken at that action.

The idea^as conceived of putting the most interesting ofthese manuscripts into readable form, and, by introducing them,

in their chronological order, into the historical sequence ofevents which have occurred of late years in the Sudan, toform, as far as available matter would allow, a comprehensivenarrative.

The author of this work is well fitted for his task. By hisknowledge of the Arabic language he has been enabled to

examine personally prisoners, refugees, and others from theSudan, and to test the accuracy of translations from Arabicdocuments, to which, as Head of the Intelligence Departmentof the Egyptian army, he has had access, and from which

this narrative is largely compiled.Official and other histories of the recent campaigns inEgypt have abeady been published. The object, therefore, which

INTRODUCTION

has been held in view in the following pages is to describethe intermediate events which have occurred in various parts

of the Sudan, and which bear, in a general way, on the eventswhich are now well-known matters of history. The presentstate of the Sudan has rendered it difficult to verify with

absolute accuracy the various accounts here given, but carehas been taken, by comparing personal statements with documentary evidence, to obtain a true record of facts and afaithful history of events in the Sudan from the rise of

Mahdiism to the present time.The difficulties with which a work of this description isfraught will be readily understood by any one who has had

Oriental experience. It should be borne in mind that theevents related extend over a period of some ten years, andoccurred throughout an enormous extent of country, thegreater part of which has been for years closed to civilisation

and to travellers. Mr. Stanley has, it is true, dwelt veryfully, in his recent work, on the events which occurred in the

Equatorial Provincesthe remarks, therefore, on this subjectin the following pages are merely inserted to give a degree of

completeness to the narrative. There were, it will be remembered, between 30,000 and 40,000 Government troops in the

Sudan when the Mahdi movement first beganof these notmore than a few thousand have ever succeeded in returning toEgypt ; of the remainder many perished gallantly in their

endeavour to uphold the authority of His Highness theKhedive in the Sudan ; it is of these lattersuch as thegarrisons of Kassala, El Obeid, etc.that an attempt has been

made in the following pages to give a faithful record ; andEgyptians may indeed be proud of their fellow-countrymen

who have played so gallant a part in sieges such as these,the attendant circumstances of which, till recently, have been

so little known that their heroism has not been recognised.The occurrences at Khartum during the last few weeks ofGeneral Gordon's heroic defence of that town are never likelyto be known with absolute accuracy ; but it is believed thatthe description here givencollected from a variety of sourcesmay be taken as generally correct.

It may be considered that undue importance has beenattached to the varioujs actions in which Egyptian troops have

INTRODUCTION

of late years been engaged, but for this the unique positionoccupied by the Egyptian army must be the excuse. Reorganised some seven years ago by a few British officers,

under the indefatigable direction of General Sir Evelyn Wood,its early promoters cannot but view with some degree of pride

the results their labours have produced.In describing the later campaigns the services of theEgyptian officers have not been prominently mentioned. Buttheir names are omitted for the sake of brevity and not with

any intention to detract from their services, which have onmany occasions been conspicuous.

For obvious reasons all reference to the political questionswhich have from time to time arisen has been omitted.

To state facts with as much accuracy as the availableinformation will admit, and to enable the reader to draw

deductions therefrom, has been the object aimed at throughout.With these few remarks, it is hoped that the followingpages supply in some degree the links in the chain of themilitary history of the Sudan since its abandonment, and thatthey will form, for the present at least, a useful book of reference,in the absence of any other complete and authentic history ofthose years.

(Sd.) F. Grenfell,

Major-General, Sirdar.

August 1890.

AUTHOK'S PEEFACE

The writer's aim has been to give a narrative of events connected with that extensive and important revolt against theorthodox Moslem religion and the recognised Governmentauthority in the Sudan, which may conveniently be described

under the general name of Mahdiism. To make this complexsubject comprehensible to the general public has been hisearnest desire.

His official position in Egypt has, on the one hand, enabledhim to obtain information to which the general public couldnot, at the time, have access ; while, on the other, he has beenenabled to realise how vague and incorrect are the notions held

by a large number of persons regarding the nature of themovement and the details of events connected therewith.

Moreover, the momentous question of the future of thisvast country of the Sudan must one day come under consideration, and it is hoped that a careful perusal of the eventsof the last few years will enable the public to obtain a fairidea of the true situation, on a knowledge of which an accurateconclusion can alone be based.

The sources from which the information embodied in thefollowing pages has been obtained are as follows :

The history of Mahdiismfrom the various original lettersand papers which have from time to time found their wayinto Egypt, and from conversations with the leaders of several

of the Moslem sects of the country, and well-informed personswho have taken part in the Sudan revolt.

The early events connected with the revoltfrom thestatements of officers and others who have escaped, and from

the official and other works already published.

x PREFACE

The long siege and fall of Khartumfrom (a) the diaryand statements of some of the besieged ; (b) from the official

records of the Sudan campaign of 1884-85; (c) from thestatements of important emirs and others amongst the besiegers ;

and (d) from the proceedings of the general court-martial heldon the officer in command of that portion of the fortificationsthrough which the enemy entered.1

Events in the Sudan subsequent to the fall of Khartumand the death of the Mahdifrom the statements of officers and

others who have taken part in these events, from informationcollected by the intelligence officers at Suakin and Wady Halfa,and from various original documents obtained from Omdurman.

Events in Darfurfrom the statement of officers and others,and original letters from Slatin Bey, etc.

Events in the Bahr el Ghazalfrom the statement of anofficer who was present during the revolt in that province, andwho surrendered with Lupton Bey.

Events in the Equatorial Provincefrom the early journals(Arabic and English) of Emin Pasha and his officers, from theliterary work of Mr. H. M. Stanley, and from the accounts of

the various native officers and officials who have returned fromthat province.

Events on the Abyssinian Frontier and the relief of theEgyptian garrisonsfrom the Egyptian officer who carried outthe withdrawal of the troops, and from the various letters of

the Mahdiist emirs in that district.The evacuation of Harrarfrom the diary of Eadwan Pasha.Events on the Nile Frontier and at Suakin, and the parttaken in them by the Egyptian armyfrom the various officialrecords on the subject, and from personal experience.

The Senussi and other religious sectsfrom importantreligious functionaries connected with these sects, and fromoriginal correspondence.

The main difficulty in preparing a work of this descriptionhas been, to give an intelligible account of the respective events

1 It is interesting to note that a detailed report on the siege and fall ofKhartum, drawn up by Nushi Pasha with the assistance of a number of officerswho had escaped from Khartum at the end of 1885, has, through the kind permission of H. H. the Khedive, recently come into the hands of the writer. Thisreport confirms, in many particulars, the account given in the text of the eventsconnected with that memorable siege.

PREFACE xi

which occurred in the various parts of the Sudan during eachyear; and at the same time to show that, although the revoltin each province was, so to speak, distinct in itself, yet it largely

depended on the success or the failure of movements carriedout in other parts of the country, hundreds of miles distant.

In order to enable the reader to grasp the general situationat any particular period, the whole situation has been discussedyear by year, and in this way the narration of consecutive

events in each respective province is interrupted : the conditionof affairs in the several provinces is therefore illustrated bymaps placed at the end of each year's record, which show thegradual spread of the revolt. It is hoped that this arrangement

will be of use in enabling the combined events to be morethoroughly understood.

Mr. E. A. Floyer, Fellow of the Eoyal Asiatic Society,rendered most valuable assistance and co-operation in the earlypart of this work, and to him the writer's warmest gratitude

and thanks are due.Also to Major Marriott, D.S.O., E.M.A. (Intelligence Department, Admiralty), and Lieut.-Colonel Dalton, E.A. (IntelligenceDivision, War Office), who have, in the absence of the writerfrom England, greatly assisted him, the former in correcting theletterpress proof, the latter the map proofs ; and under their

careful supervision a considerably more accurate and uniformsystem of orthography for native names of places and personshas been obtained, based as far as possible on the system

adopted by the Council of the Eoyal Geographical Society 1(London).

The writer trusts that, taken in connection with the variousother historical accounts already published, the present workmay be accepted as a small contribution towards the publication

1 Some difficulty will always present itself in the orthography of native names.In the case of this book, an additional chance of error is met with in the differentpronunciation of the Jj kaf and the ^T jccm in countries where Arabic is spoken.

In the Sudan the Jj has the value of a hard g and the 'JT of an English/, andthe Arabic of the Sudan, being more classical than that of Egypt, supplies asuitable method of transcribing the native names. This is not, however, without

its exceptions, as the pronunciation of a few names has now become familiar toEnglishmen as heard in the mouths of Egyptians, and to this fact the departurein certain instances from the general rule, e.g. Gemaizeh for Jemaizeh, Gellab forJellab, etc. , must be attributed.

PREFACE

of a complete history of the Sudan which must sooner or laterbe undertaken by abler hands.

For the present it may serve as a useful book of reference.

Cairo, 1st January 1891.

P.S.Since writing the above, the Tokar district has beenrecaptured from the Mahdiists, and is now garrisoned by

Egyptian troops. A few details connected with this expedition will be found in the Supplement, as well as some extracts

from the mass of Arabic correspondence captured in OsmanDigna's headquarters and relating principally to the events

which occurred in 1883 and 1884.A treaty has also been formally concluded defining theItalian sphere of influence, the demarcation of which is shownin the " Map of the Nile Basin."

Cairo, 1st May 1891.

CONTENTS

BOOK I

Eastern religious sects in generalThe Sunni Mahdi and the Shia' MahdiTheSenussi confraternityThe " Little Rose "The tenets of the sectIts geographical positionJerhbubMohammed es Senussi and the Sultan of Wad-

daiThe Senussi the predicted MahdiThe Mahdiism of Mohammed Ahmedof DongolaThe superstition of the twelfth ImamPrevious Mahdis in

EgyptThe first causes of the revolt in the SudanFive ethnographicalsubdivisions of the SudanCamel-owning Arabs, the first classThe negroid

tribes of Darfur, the second classThe dwellers in towns or villages, thethird classThe cattle-owning Arabs, the Baggara, the fourth classThecattle - owning negroes or negroids, the fifth classThe slave trade andits suppression by General GordonTho reasons for the readiness of the

Baggara to revoltMohammed Ahmed begins his divine missionHis earlylifeHis religious trainingHe begins to preach . . Pages 1-14

BOOK II1882

Raonf Pasha attempts to capture the Mahdi at AbbaThe attempt failsTheMahdi retires to the mountains south of KordofanMohammed Pasha Saiddespatched to Kaua with a forceRashid Bey defeated by the Mahdi atJebel GedirMohammed Ahmed secures the alliance of the BaggaraRaou f

Pasha enrols irregular troopsTribes in Kordofan, Sennar, and the EasternSudan waveringRaouf Pasha recalledGeigler Pasha acts as a Governor-GeneralYusef Pasha csh Shellali despatched to KauaAhmed el Makashifenters Sennar and sacks the townTroops besieged in the MudiriehSaleh

Bey relieves SennarThe Egyptian troops defeat the rebels at KarkojRebels defeat Egyptians at MessalamiehGeigler Pasha's victory at AbuHaraEAbd el Kader Pasha succeeds Raouf Pasha as Governor-GeneralYusef Pasha csh Shellali completely defeated by the Mahdi at MasatAbdel Kader Pasha repairs tho fortifications of Khartum, mobilises a force of

12,000 menGarrison of Shatt annihilatedRebels repulsed with greatloss at DuemEl Birket in Kordofan besiegedReinforcements from ElObeid defeat rebels near KashgilInhabitants of Ashaf massacredEgyptian

b

CONTENTS

force routs rebels at Awlad MurujBara attackedFighting at ShatturaBara investedStory of Father BonomiMahdi invited by Elias Pasha tocome to El ObeidHe leaves Jebel GedirMek Omar besieges and captures

the mission station of Jebel Delen Fiki Minneh attacks Et TayaraBirket capturedMahdi invests El ObeidTown deserted by inhabitants,Garrison strongly entrench themselvesMahdi attacks but is repulsed withgreat lossAbd el Kader Pasha despatches reinforcements, which are heavily

defeated at El KauaBara garrison makes successful sortieNur Angarajoins the rebelsAbd el Kader Pasha telegraphs to Cairo for reinforcements

Gcigler Pasha secures slight success at DuemEvents in DarfurTheemir Madibbo seizes Shakka, but is repulsed at El Maalieh Madibboattacks and is defeated by Slatin Bey at Injileila, and again near Darra

Rebels defeated near OmshangaEvents in Bahr el GhazalDescriptionof country and tribesLupton Bey GovernorThe suds of the NileSubdivision of districts in the provinceCauses of the revoltFirst outbreak atTel GaunaRevolt of the Janghe tribeAction at TujSheikh Jango

defeated near Tel GaunaEvents in EquatoriaDescription of the provinceEmin Bey GovernorThe tribesStations and garrisonsCauses of thelocal revoltsKabarega, King of UnyoroRisiimi of situation in the Sudanat the end of 1882The loyalty of the Shukrieh . . Pages 15-32

BOOK III

CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MAHDI

Capture of the Mahdi's letter-book at ToskiExplanatory notesThe construction of the KhalifateHistorical outline of previous MahdisThe lettersand proclamationsA rebuke to those who do not believe in MahdiismAcircular enjoining modesty in dress, etc.Prayers to be said on advancingagainst the enemyCircular on the rules to be observed in ridingA visionin which the Prophet and saints proclaim Mohammed Ahmed to be the MahdiInstructions as to the correspondence and the formation of Arabic lettersA dissertation on virtue and the Jehad (Holy War)A dissertation on fateplaced over the door of the mosque in the beginning of Ramadan (the month. of fasting and prayer)A short addressA warning to one who doubtsA

letter to the Sheikh el Islam in which the Mahdi endeavours to prove thedivinity of his causeA vision in which the Prophet hands to the Mahdi

the evergreen crown of victory and promises everlasting happiness to thosewho die in Holy WarThe abolition of the name "dervish" and the adop

tion of the name " ansar " for his followers . . . 33-48

BOOK IV

THE EGYPTIAN POSITION IN THE SUDAN DP TO THE END OF

1883

Egyptian troops in the Sudan in 1883The slave trade and trade in generalCauses of the revoltColonel Stewart's missionThe fall of BaraThe sie^eand fall of El ObeidThe Mahdi establishes himself at El Obeid and pro-

CONTENTS

claims his khalifateThe laws and ordinances of Mohammed AhmedArebuke to those who have made off with lootRules of morality, obedience,and moderationThe Mahdi's ten commandmentsHe enjoins moderation

in the marriage ceremonyA rebuke to the AshrafThe abolition of allmanners and customs appertaining to the TurksA vision in which Moham

med Ahmed is promised victory over the whole worldA tirade against thedisobedient ; and against smoking and drinking wineA proclamation to all

people to rise and join the MahdiehThe letter to El Minneh IsmailManifesto to the inhabitants of KhartumA delegate from the Senussi arrives inKordofanThe Mahdi's letter to the SenussiThe rebels defeat Egyptians at

KarasaAbd el Kader's victory at MaatukThe defeat of the Makashif at

Meshra ed DaiSiege of Sennar raisedRebels routed at Jebel SekhediAbd el Kader superseded by Suliman NiaziAla ed Din Pasha appointedGovernor-GeneralHicks Pasha despatched to the Sudan with an army

He defeats the rebels at MarabiehIntrigues at KhartumHicks sets offwith an army for KordofanDescription of the country through which hemarchedHicks Pasha's last despatchThe account of the whole marchand the battle of Shekan from the statement of Hicks Pasha's servant anda clerk of one of the Mahdi's chief emirsTreachery of the guidesDissensions between Hicks Pasha and Ala ed Din PashaThe disarming of thecivilians The desertion of Genawi Bey's men The enemy attack andannihilate the Egyptian army at ShekanThe death of Hicks PashaTheeffect of the victory on the Mahdi's causeCorroboration of statements

Events in the neighbourhood of SuakinOsman Digna sent by Mahdi withproclamation to Eastern SudanOsmau's arrival, detaches Mustafa Hadal tobesiege KassalaAttacks SinkatDefeated there and at HandubEgyptianreinforcements annihilated near Sinkat Siege of SinkatReinforcementsagain annihilatedPanic at SuakinGovernment decides to open road from

Suakin to BerberBaker Pasha prepares for expeditionKassim Effendi'sdefeat at TamanibMahmud Pasha Taher replaced as Governor by Sulimau

Niazi Pasha Baker Pasha attempts to relieve Tokar His force almostannihilated at El TebSuakin protected by British men-of-warArrange

ments discussed for removal of Harrar garrison Attitude of ShukriehEvents in Darfur in 1883El Fasher, Darra, and Kebkebieh besiegedSaidBey Guma defeatedOrders sent to Slatin Bey to retire did not reach himSlatin puts Omshanga in a state of defenceDisloyalty amongst his officersHe resorts to stratagemThe despatch of Zogal with letters to the Mahdiand to Hicks PashaZogal joins the Mahdi on learning of Hicks's defeat

Is appointed emir of DarfurPeaceful surrender of OmshangaSurrenderof Slatin at DarraSlatin and Zogal call on El Fasher and Kebkebieh tosurrenderMahdi writes to Rabih Zubeir, who refuses to join himEventsin Bahr el GhazalDefeat of the Arabs near Tel GaunaArabs sack FarogaAre dispersed near LiffiExpedition against the Janghe tribeThe latterannihilate Ruffai Agha's forceRoad to Meshra er 'Rek blocked by revolt of

DinkasThe traveller Schuver killedLupton warns Junker, exploring theWelle, of dangerThe latter and Captain Casati proceed to EcmatoriaLupton entrenched in a zariba repulses attack of ArabsEvents in Equatoria,1883 Attitude of the Danagla Emin despatches reinforcements to theRohl ProvinceThe Dinka and Agar massacre the garrison of Rumbek andShambehRumbek recapturedChief Loro endeavours to incite the Baritribe to riseSupply of ammunition running short . . Pages 49-104

'

CONTENTS

BOOK VTHE EGYPTIAN POSITION IN THE SUDAN UP TO THE END OF 1884,

WITH THE SIEGE OF KHARTUM DURING THAT YEAR

Beginning of the siege of Khartum Panic of the inhabitants De Coetlogonmakes the lines of defence Sennar besieged Decision to abandon theSudanGeneral Gordon arrives in Cairo with the object of proceeding tothe Sudan to withdraw the garrisonsGordon's arrival in KhartumThesuppression of the slave trade abolished Troops massed in KhartumGordon applies for Zubeir PashaPublic opinion averse to his being sent

Gordon prepares to stand a siegeThe battle of 16th MarchTwo pashasexecuted in KhartumThe Mahdi summons Khartum to surrenderHis

letter to GordonGordon's replyThe decision of the inhabitants to trustGordon and resistSalch Pasha and a steamer captured at El MekThesiege pressed more closelyEvents in the Eastern SudanBritish Govern

ment decides to defend SuakinMohammed Tewfik, governor of Sinkat,makes a sortie and is cut to pieces General Graham is despatched with4000 British troops to relieve TokarSir Evelyn Wood volunteers to sendsome of the troops of the new Egyptian armyThe battle of El Teb and

Tamai Proposal to open the Suakin-Berber roadThe Hadendowa andAmarar in open revoltBerber besiegedCaptain Kitchener and Lieutenant

Rundle despatched to the Sudan Stopped at Assuan They raise Arablevies to defend the country between the Nile and the Red SeaAlarm at

AssuanMeeting of the Bisharin sheikhsNile patrolled by British bluejackets in sternwheelers The expedition along the Arba'in road The

fall of BerberThe emir Heddai advances towards DongolaDescriptionof the mudir of DongolaThe uncertainty in Egypt as to his loyalty

Heddai is defeated at DebbehRetires to the desert and demands reinforcements Captain Kitchener volunteers to go to Dongola His arrival at

the capital His report of the mudir's attitude The Mahdi despatchesthe emir Mahmud to Heddai's assistanceThe Mahdi's letter to the mudirof DongolaThe battle of KortiHeddai and Mahmud killedMudir gains

the victoryCaptain Kitchener negotiates with Saleh of the KababishThe Nile Expedition under Lord Wolseley for the relief of KhartumGordon defeats the emir Abu Girgeh The mountainous districts of

Kordofan still resist MahdiismEvents in DarfurSaid Bey Guma resolveson resistance at El FasherZogal arrives and three times unsuccessfullyassaults the townSlatin advises surrenderFall of El Fasher Slatin's

letter to General GordonZogal despatches a force from El Fasher to subduethe Sultan DudbengaThe Mahdiist forces severely defeatedDudbenga

besieged at Jebel Marra He capitulates Zogal supreme in Darfur Events in the Bahr el GhazalLupton applies to Slatin for reinforcements He collects and stores grain The emir Karamallah arrives on thefrontierSummons Lupton to surrender Decision of officials and troopsto make no resistance Lupton writes three despairing letters to EminThe fall of Bahr el Ghazal, from the statement of an officer who was

present Karamallah's brother describes the circumstances of the fallKaramallah's official letter on the subject to the Khalifa Abdullah Taashi

CONTENTS

Events in EquatoriaThe meeting of Dr. Junker and EminThe disputesin the Rohl province Emin receives Lupton's letters An attempt torelieve Shambeh failsEmin on learning of the fall of Bahr el Ghazal andthe annihilation of Hicks Pasha's force decides to surrender his provinceThe fire in Lado and its effect on Emin's intentions He describes thesituationThe surrender mission proceeds to Bahr el GhazalThe kadi'sinstructions to EminThe governor of Makaraka deserts but is killed

Rumbek and Ayak abandonedRedistribution of the garrisonsKaramallahattacks AmadiEmin sends reinforcementsThe garrison of Bohr almostexterminatedMakaraka district tranquilEmin's conclusions at the end of

1884The siege of SennarJealousy between the governor and commanderof the troopsThe governor writes to GordonThe emir el Merhdi invests

SennarEvents in the Eastern Sudan subsequent to the battle of TamaiSuakin in a state of siegeMajor Chermside arranges with King John ofAbyssinia for the relief of the Egyptian garrisons on the Abyssinian frontier

The "Hewett Treaty" The siege of Kassala Bogos handed over toAbyssiniaThe fall of GedarefEvents in the province of HarrarThemission of Major Hunter and Radwan PashaRadwan Pasha and Lieutenant Peyton arrive at HarrarThey begin the evacuationThe governmenthanded over to Mohammed Abd esh ShakurInstallation of the new emirAll troops and families reach the coast in safety . . Pages 105-154

BOOK VI

FALL OF KHARTUM

Abyssinian and Khartum Relief Expeditions comparedHistory of the SiegeThe Nile risesMohammed Ali Pasha's expedition up the Blue NileHedefeats the emir Abd el Kader at Gereif Gordon congratulates himThe " Fighting Pasha " clears the whole neighbourhood of the rebelsHedefeats the Sheikh el Obeid at HalfiyehClears the river as far as Shendi

But is defeated and killed at Om DubbanColonel Stewart leaves Khartumin the steamer Abbass to meet the BritishThe wreck of the AbbassStewart

and party land at HebbehAre treacherously murdered by Suliman AVadGamrCorrespondence between Khartum and the MahdiThe reply of theulemas discussedGordon writes to SennarHe despatches three steamersunder Nushi Pasha to Metemmeh to await the EnglishThe work done bythe steamers The heroic conduct of the ladies Fatima and Nefisa at

MetemmehNews of Stewart's death reaches KhartumThe fall of Khartumdiscussed from four standpoints The story of the besieged The early

stages of the siegeScarcity of corn Khartum searched for cornOm-durman heavily besieged by Abu AngarGordon attempts to relieve it

Faragallah PashaThe commandant receives Gordon's orders to surrenderThe capitulation of OmdurmanFamine in KhartumThe dead fill thestreetsSanjak Omar Ibrahim desertsGordon sends to the Mahdi all the

inhabitants who desire to quit KhartumThe Mahdi fires a salute of 101gunsPerplexity of the besiegedGordon tells them that the English arecoming at once The despair of the besieged Wad en Nejumi's armycrosses the parapet and ditch which the Nile had destroyedThe fall of

Khartum and death of General Gordon The movements of the Relief

CONTENTS

Expedition Sir Charles Wilson starts on 24th January with thesteamers Bordein and Telahawieh The difficulties of navigation

Delay caused by accidentFire opened by the enemyReport of GeueralGordon's death Preparations for running the blockade First view of

KhartumTuti Island in enemy's handsKhartum found to have fallen,steamers retire Telahawieh aground for a short time Heavy fire onthe steamersCrews show signs of disaffectionDifficulties of situation

Wreck of the TelahawiehLetters from the MahdiAnswer to the Mahdi'sletterDisaffection among native troopsPassage of ShablukaDescent of

last rapidWreck of BordeinMernat IslandLieutenant Stuart Wortleystarts for Gubat Sir C. Wilson's dispositions Desertions The Safichsighted Sir Charles Wilson quits Mernat Island and marches down tothe SafichThe voyage of the SafichFort at Wad HabeshiThe boilerstruckDangerous position of the SafiehRepair of the boilerRelief of

Sir Charles Wilson's party ..... Pages 155-188

BOOK VI{continued)

FALL OF KHARTUM

The third statementThe fall of Khartum from a besieger's point of viewTheemir fiki Medawi's storyThe early stages of the siegeHe defeats Said

Bey and Hassan Bey IbrahimAbu Girgeh and Wad Basir defeat Saleh BeyThe dispositions of the Arab forces besieging KhartumAbu Girgeh, the

emir of emirsWad en Nejumi arrivesThe Mahdi arrivesAbu Safia sentto attack the English at Abu KleaThe effect of the defeat on the Mahdi

He has a vision in which the Prophet tells him to go to KordofanHiscousin, Abd el Kerim, insists that Khartum should be attackedThe Mahdiagrees Disposition for the attack Xejumi's instructions News arrives

that the steamers have started from MetemmehThe Mahdi's orders thatGordon's life should be spared The Mahdi addresses his "Ansar"

Nejumi's force crosses the broken-down parapet and filled-up ditchTheattack Farag Pasha opens the gate and gives himself up Thedeath of General Gordon The massacre The steamers appear in sight

Death of Farag Pasha The fourth statement The court-martial onHassan Bey Bahnassawi commanding that portion of the lines throughwhich the Arabs enteredRemarks on the court-martialThe two plans of

KhartumThe plan of the prosecution and the plan of the defenceHassanBey honourably acquittedThe charge of treachery falls throughThe question of the position of Fort MukranIts importance in relation to the trialA rtsume' of the several statementsStarvation won the raceSubsequentoperations of the desert and river columns General Buller proceeds toMetemmeh Lord Wolseley's plans The battle of Kirbekan Death ofGeneral Earle Destruction of Suliman Wad Gamr's property General

Brackenbury ordered to retire on MerawiGeneral Buller retires to AbuKlea The breakdown of the camel transport The plans changed SirEvelyn Wood retires the desert columnDistribution of the ExpeditionaryForce along the NilePreparations for an expedition to Suakin 189-202

CONTENTS

BOOK VII

THE ORGANISATION OF THE NEW EGYPTIAN ARMY

Native corps raised by the British from 1757The Egyptian fellah and theBengali, a comparisonAmerican officers in the Egyptian armyThe oldEgyptian army-The Egyptian army of Arabi PashaThe system of recruiting for the old armyIts effect on the fellahinThe recruit for the newarmyThe terror of the Sudan serviceSir Evelyn Wood appointed sirdarof the new Egyptian armyThe officers who first joinThe composition of

the armyEarly recruitingPeriods of service in army, police, and reserveEarly trainingEgyptian ranks and their equivalent English titlesOriginof Egyptian (Turkish) titles The pashaThe beyThe effendiTheorganisationThe first brigade raised by Colonel GrenfellThe secondbrigade raised by lewa Shuhdi Pasha State of the Egyptian army inJanuary 1883The cholera epidemicThe formation of a medical departmentConscription, a brief history of the career of an Egyptian soldierArmy and polico service comparedSelection of native officersThe rankof a British officer on joiningH.H. the Khedive, the commander-in-chief

His war ministerThe sirdar and his functionsThe headquarter staffThe adjutant-general and the quartermaster and surveyor-general Thedepartments, the central administrationThe military schoolSir Evelyn

Wood's system of trainingThe effect of Hicks Pasha's disaster on the armyFailure to form a Turkish brigadeNew English officers joinThe first

Sudanese battalion raised in 1884Details of organisationDifference between organisation of Egyptian and Sudanese battalionsWork done by

the Egyptian army in the Nile expedition ; and at Suakin Sir EvelynWood resigns, and is succeeded as sirdar by General Grenfell Variousincreases in the Egyptian armyIts strength early in 1886Colonel Hallam

Parr becomes adjutant-generalHis reltort on progress madeStrength ofthe Egyptian army in 1890 ..... Pages 203-225

BOOK VIII (1885)

Khartum after the fallThe Mahdi makes it his headquartersThe reign ofterrorThe Mahdi transfers his headquarters to OmdurmanThe death of

Mohammed AhmedHis proclamation concerning Abdullah TaashiTheKhalifa Abdullah Taashi succeeds the MahdiHis visionThe story ofthe hairPilgrimages ordained to the tomb of the MahdiThe Mahdi'swillThe khalifa's proclamation to the people of DarfurThe effect of the

Mahdi's death on the Sudan in generalThe garrisons of Sennar and KassalaWomen's influence in the Sudan revoltThe siege and fall of SennarAsketch of the career of Wad en NejumiThe khalifa's letter to himThe

siege of KassalaThe siege of GeraThe siege of GalabatLetter from thegovernor to GordonColonel Chermside negotiates with King John for the

rescue of the Egyptian garrisons on the Abyssinian frontierThe rescue ofthe Galabat garrison Amadib and Senhit garrisons reach MassawaGeneral Graham's expedition to SuakinAction of HashinM'Neill's zariba

CONTENTS

Attitude of the tribes in the eastern SudanAttempts made to gain overthe Habab to MahdiismThe siege of KassalaSayid Osman el MorghaniDecadence of Mahdiism in the Suakin neighbourhoodEffect of the Mahdi'sdeath on KassalaIntertribal conflictsThe mudir of Kassala agrees toa three months' cessation of hostilitiesOsman Digna arrives at Kassala

Ras Alula decides to attempt the relief of KassalaThe Arab challenge tothe AbyssiniansThe battle of KufitOsman Digna defeatedThe Abyssi-nians relieve GeraH.M.S. Grappler disperses the Bisharin at Khor ShenabKantibai, Sheikh of the HababAffairs at Khartum and Omdurman

KordofanThe revolt of the old Egyptian troopsDeath of the emir SherifMahmudOsman Wad Adam (Ganoo) succeeds himAbu Angar's expeditionKing Adam of TagallaDarfur and Bahr el GhazalThe revolt ofMadibboKaramallah despatches Ketenbur to capture himEquatoria

Karamallah's message to Eminthe siege of BohrThe sortie from AmadiA council of officers decides to evacuate the northern garrisons and concentrate towards the southRedistribution of the garrisonsEmin goes to

GondokoroKaramallah quits Amadi for the northEmm's views on thesituationNegotiates with KabaregaThe local revolt at LadoThe rise

of the BariDr. Junker proceeds to Kabarega'sDiminished EquatoriaThe invasion of EgyptThe planThe khalifa describes the joys of paradise

The break-up of the Nile columnThe frontier field force under GeneralGrenfellGeneral Butler commands the advanced brigade, position takenup at KoshehMohammed el Kheir and NejumiThe collapse of the nativegovernment in DongolaThe advance of the ArabsDispositions of the

frontier field forceThe attack on Ambigol WellsThe armed sternwheelerLotusThe attack on MograkehThe enemy hold Kosheh villageBlackrock and palm groveThe sortie of the Cameron Highlanders and 9thSudaneseGeneral Butler's reconnaissanceGeneral Sir F. Stephenson arrivesand takes commandThe concentration of troops at FerkehThe plan ofattackThe action of Ginnis .... Pages 2'26-279

BOOK IX

Mohammed el Kheir's description of the action of GinnisThe Arab plan ofcampaign remains unalteredDecision to consider Wady Halfa as the Egyptian FrontierEgyptian troops garrisoned at HalfaBritish at Assuan

Effect of the retirement on the Khalifa's plansNejumi leaves OmdurmanThe Khalifa's proclamation to the people of EgyptThe council of emirsat OmdurmanThe appointment of the four principal emirsNejumi's

letters to Osman DignaThe emir Ez Zein advances northThe mission ofShuhdi PashaThe situation in the SudanOsman Aziak commands theadvanced postsDistribution of the enemy's forcesNur el Kauzi occupies

GemaiGeneral de Montmorency advances against him, the Arabs retire toSuardaThe Kabahish tribeSheikh SalehHe harasses Nejumi's flankHe collects his tribe at Jebel AinKordofanThe Arab tribes revolt andattack Abu AngarThe emir Zogal arrives at El Obeid from El Fasher

DarfurCapture of MadibboKaramallah at ShakkaEquatoria, Emin atWadelai receives letters from EgyptHis reason for not abandoning the

ProvinceThe war between Unyoro aud UgandaThe cause of the ill-feelingbetween the first and the second battalionsEmm's reflections on affairs in his

CONTENTS

ProvinceDr. Junker reaches UgandaSuakinOsman Digna at TamaiThe secession of the AmararChanges in the command at SuakinOsmanseeks to coerce the tribes into submissionThe Anti-Mahdiist tribes begin

to besiege TamaiOsman receives instructions from the KhalifaThe situation at Suakin as expressed by the notables and merchantsThe Amarar

press the siege of TamaiThe letter of the Khalifa's emissaries in TamaiThe attack and capture of TamaiThe friendly Arabs operate towards

TokarBut retreat, and are disbandedTribal differences and jealousiesOsman proceeds to OmdurmauHis attempts to raise the ShukriehTheItalians and AbyssiniansThe port of Rarat . . Pages 280-305

BOOK X

Nile FrontierNejnmi's progress northwardsArrival at Assuan of four envoysfrom the KhalifaHis letter to H.M. the Queen, H.M. the Sultan, andH.H. the KhediveThe Morghani sect and familyGordon's lettersconcerning the Morghani ladies Fatima and NefisaThe Khalifa's letter to

the chief MorghaniA caravan from Darfur arrives at AssiutThe emirNut el Kanzi arrives at Sarras with a forceThe action of Sarras, 28th

AprilThe flank movement from Abu HamedThe emir Bahr KarrarTheraid on AllakiThe descent on ErminnaThe Ababdeh sheikhs and theiractionSarras reoccupied by the enemyThe skirmish at AbkaSarrasmade a permanent outpost of the Arab forceThe smallpox epidemicDarfurSultan Yusef expostulates with the emir Karamallah for raidingMagdum Jarut exterminates one of Karamallah's raiding-partiesMagdum

Dembo surprises Et Towaish and drives Karamallah out of DarraSultanZayid heavily defeats the emir KetenburThe Khalifa despatches OsmanAdam (Ganoo) to restore order in DarfurJoining Karamallah he defeatsthe DarfuriansEquatoria1st Battalion throws off allegianceRevolt inRegafEmin retires to MahagiMutinyDr. Junker arrives in Europe,public sympathy for EminThe Emin Pasha relief expeditionMr. H. M.Stanley volunteers to take commandH.H. the Khedive's "high order"The expedition proceeds via the Congo and AruwimiEmin hears thatStanley is comingThe eastern SudanDefection of the tribes from

MahdiismOsman Digna at KassalaThe Hamran tribeSheikh EguelSaleh Bey ShangaThe Arabs and AbyssiniansThe battle of MadanaDefeat of Arabs and death of Wad ArbabThe Khalifa writes to King JohnYunis ed Dekeim sent to GalabatHamdan Abu Angar assumes commandof the Arab army on the Abyssinian frontierThe battle of Debra Sin, AbuAngar's victoryHe reaches and pillages GondarHis return to GalabatThe prophet "Isa" at Galabat draws away many Mahdiist emirsHe iscaptured and beheadedThe Khalifa's vision of "Nebi Isa's " torment inhellAbu Angar returns to OmdurmanDissensions in the eastern Sudan

Wad Eguel writes to H.M. the KhediveThe revolt of the Rufa'a Arabs

on the Blue NileThe revolt of Abu KalamThe Khalifa's vengeanceThemovement of Saleh Bey (Kababish)H.H. the Khedive writes to him

General Grenfell sends him riflesCapture of Charles NeufeldSaleh fightsthe emir Grieger at Om Badr and MahbassHe is defeated and slainSaleh's mother describes the battleDissensions between the Hadendowa

CONTENTS

and AmararThe death of Lieutenant Stewart, R.N.Dispersion of theHeteima colonyOsman Digna arrives at HaudubThe anti-Mahdi tribalconfederationThe action of Dara and the raid upon Taroi . Pages 306-343

BOOK XI

The protection of the frontier entrusted to the Egyptian armyBahr Karrarestablishes himself at OngatThe raid on KalabshehThe raid on Girsheh

Fortified posts established between Korosko and Halfa The wells ofMurat occupied by the enemyRaid on FarrekNejumi attends a councilof emirs at OmdurmanThe establishment of the frontier military MudiriehColonel Wodehouse appointed GovernorMinshetta Bey tried by a generalcourt-martial as a traitorProclamation to the BisharinReinforcementsarrive at SarrasThe attack on DabrosaThe attack on Fort Khor MussaNejumi taunted by the Khalifa for inactionSuakinOsman's expedition

from HandubColonel Kitchener attempts the capture of OsmanTheaction at HandubColonel Kitchener woundedThe Arabs entrench themselves close to SuakinThe action of 4th MarchDeath of Captain TappOsman and the tribesTwo months' cessation of hostilities with SuakinThe arrival of Osman Naib with reinforcements from OmdurmanTheenemy open trenches within 1900 yards of SuakinThe siege of SuakinColonel Holled-Smith Governor-GeneralReinforcements sent from CairoGeneral Grenfell reports necessity of increasing tho Egyptian armyThereconnaissance of 8th OctoberGeneral Grenfell proceeds to SuakinHeconsiders it necessary to drive the enemy from their trenches Britishordered to SuakinThe attitude of the tribesThe action of GemaizehComplete defeat of the Arabs Events on the Abyssinian frontierThe

Khalifa's letter to King JohnThe Khalifa's visionAbu Angar's campaignHe again reaches GondarDeath of Abu AngarEvents in DarfurOsman

Adam attacks and defeats the Sultan Zayid at Wadi el Masrieh ; and againat BairaThe death of Sultans Zayid and YusefThe revolt in Dar Tama

Sheikh Abu Gemaizeh leads the revoltHe calls on the Sultan of Borgo forassistanceThe latter appeals to the SenussiSenussi's replyExplanationof the so-called Senussi movementThe Khalifa's letter to Abu Gemaizeh

The alarm at OmdurmanAbu Gemaizeh advances towards El FasherHedefeats the Mahdiist forces at KebkebiehHe returns again to Dar Tama tocollect reinforcements Equatoria Who was the White Pasha ? AnexplanationThe Khalifa despatches an expedition from Omdurman to

capture the White PashaEmin and Jephson make a tour through theprovinceThe mutiny at KiriThe revolt at DuffilehEmin and Jephsonmade prisonersThe Mahdiist army under Omar Saleh arrives at LadoEmin and Jephson released They proceed to Wadelai Evacuation ofWadelaiDuffileh recaptured from the MahdiistsOmar Saleh's despatchto the KhalifaThe latter sends it to Osman Digna, who passes it to GeneralGrenfell at SuakinThe situation in Equatoria at the end of 1888 344-387

CONTENTS

BOOK XII

Rumours current of Nejumi's advance northThe improbability of an invasionby the west bank Preparations made on the frontier to resist raids

Letters from the Khalifa to Nejumi relative to his expeditionThe EasternDesertThe Khalifa's present to Bishir BeyBahr Karrar and Bishir BeyNejumi receives reinforcements at DongolaState of affairs in Darfur andAbyssinia delays Nejumi's advance Disloyalty of BimbanNejumi and

Mussaid quarrelLarge numbers of refugees arrive at HalfaAbd el Halimarrives at Sarras with a forceThe raids on Deberra and Serra westThe

Egyptian cavalry annihilate the Deberra raidersRumours that Nejumi isadvancingThe second raid on SerraThe enemy at Sarras move to the west

lankDisturbances in the Eastern DesertMustafa Gibran defeats the Arabsat J. McssaHis official despatchThe attempted raid on ArginThe attackon MatukaThe wells of Murat occupied by Hassan KhalifaCaptain Sillemchecks a raid on GustolNejumi writes to Abd el Halim at SarrasDisposi

tions of the invading forceThe intended seizure of Sarras by Egyptian,troopsNejumi's instructions and intentionsHe arrives at SarrasHisarmy reaches MatukaHe reconnoitres HalfaThe invading force crossesthe Egyptian frontierColonel Wodehouse's dispositionsThe compositionof Nejumi's arm}'The action of ArginNejumi's orders disobeyedTheenemy driven out of ArginDifferences between Nejumi and Abd el Halim

The Arab dem above ArginNejumi addresses the AnsarColonel Wodehouse's plan of campaignReinforcements sent from CairoGeneral Grenfellstarts for the frontierNejumi moves northThe camp at North ArginThehalt at SerraThe dem at AdendanNejumi reaches Belanga headed by

the flying columnNejumi's letter to Wad SaadSaleh Bey volunteers toturn Hassan Khalifa out of MuratSheikh Koki captures two guns at

Matuka General Grenfell arrives at Belanga His reconnaissance ofNejumi's positionHis letter to NejumiNejumi's replyScarcity of foodin the Arab camp General Grenfell returns to Assuan British troopsarriving General Grenfell's plans and the disposition of the troops-

Captain Lewis reconnoitres SarrasReinforcements under Makin en Nurreach NejumiHe marches north from BelangaConcentration of troopsat ToskiBishir Bey's expedition to AbrakLieutenant D'Aguilar attacksa party of the enemy at Anebi General Grenfell arrives at ToskiHe

reconnoitres the enemy's position Nejumi advancing drives back thereconnoitring troopsThe infantry and artillery called out from ToskiThe action near ToskiComplete defeat of the enemyDeath of Nejumiand his principal emirsFour thousand prisoners takenDisposal of the

prisoners Capture of Abu YezidReoccupation of Sarras by EgyptiantroopsSuccessful result of Saleh Bey's expedition to MuratBahr Karrarretires from OngatThe distress of the BisharinEffect of the defeat atToski on the MahdiistsEffect of victory in EgyptLetters from emirsdesiring pardonlarge numbers of Bisharin and other refugees arrive on the

frontierThe Baggara rule of terror . . . Pages 388-437

CONTENTS

BOOK XII {continued)1889

Events on the Abyssinian frontierThe Abyssinian delegate returns to GondarKing John at the head of his army marches to attack GalabatThe battleof GalabatDefeat of the ArabsKing John mortally woundedHe dies inthe nightEffect of his death on the Abyssinian armyThe emir ZakiTumal makes a counter-attack on the retiring armyCaptures the body of

King John and all his baggageZaki Tumal's despatch on the battleThesupplementary despatchThe Khalifa's letter to Osman DignaThe revenge

of the King's daughterEnvoys bearing letters for H.M. the Queen, H.H.the Khedive, and the British Agent in Egypt, arrive at AssuauTranslationsof the lettersThe Khalifa encloses H.M. the Queen's letter to King John,

which was taken to the latter by Mr. Portal in 1887Effect of the King'sdeath in AbyssiniaSheikh EguelThe Eastern SudanLieutenant Beech'sexploitOsman Digna evacuates HandubDissensions between Osman

Digna and Abu GirgehThe attack on HalaibColonel Holled-Smith'sexpeditionHe re-establishes the Government authority at HalaibThe

Hadendowa League : its operations ; it is disbandedAhmed Mahmud'sconductOsman Digna called to a council of emirs at OmdurmanHerefuses to take Nejumi's place as emir of DongolaAffairs in the Kassala

neighbourhoodThe death of Mahmud Bey AliFamine in the EasternSudanDarfurAbu Gemaizeh attacks Osman Adam at Majzun Complete

defeat of Abu Gemaizeh and collapse of the so-called Senussi MovementOsman Adam's despatch to the Khalifa on the battleEquatoriaStanley'sthird arrival at the lakeEmin Pasha, Selim Bey, and fourteen officers,

arrive at Stanley's campA meeting in which it is decided to completelyevacuate the province by 10th AprilSelim Bey returns to AVadelaiHe

writes, asking for more time to carry out the evacuationStanley addresseshis officersThe decision not to postpone the date of departureA mutinous

spirit in the campStanley and his column start for ZanzibarThe halt atMazamboni'sThe intercepted lettersSelim Bey's couriersAffairs atAVadelaiThe column continues its marchThe discovery of the sources ofthe NileRuwenzoriThe Semliki River, and the Albert Edward Isyanza

Arrival of Stanley at ZanzibarThe state of Equatoria . Pages 438-465

CONCLUSION 466-491

SUPPLEMENT

The Reoccupation of Tokar, 19th February 1891 . 492-521

CONTEXTS

APPENDIX TO BOOK I

Extracts from a Report on the Sudan bt Lieutenant-Colonel

Stewart ...... Pages 522-534

APPENDIX TO BOOK III

A List of the Letters and Proclamations of Mohammed Ahmed

the mahdi, and of his successor, the khalifa abdullah

taashi, found in the manuscript letter-book captured at the

Action of Toski on 3d August 1889 . . . 535-549

APPENDIX TO BOOK IV

Supposed Itinerary of the March of Hicks Pasha's Army from

Duem to Shekan ...... 549-553

APPENDIX TO BOOK VGeneral Gordon's Proclamation .... 554-555

APPENDIX TO BOOK VI

Evidence taken before a General Court-Martial held in Cairo,

in June 1887, for the trial of Hassan Bey Bahnas-sawi ........ 556-590

APPENDIX TO BOOK IX

The Coinage of Mohammed Ahmed, the Mahdi of the Sudan,

by His Excellency Yacoub Pasha Artin . . 590-600

APPENDIX TO BOOK XII

Composition of Nejumi's Army, which crossed the EgyptianFrontier on 1st July 1889, with Names of Emirs 600-605

INDEX 607-617

ERRATA

Page 21, line 26, for Beni Harrar read Beni Jerrar.66, the first line of footnote applies to Ayat, line 16.72, line 41, for Ragab read Rajab.91, line 5 of footnote, for make read made.

110, line 17, for slave trade read suppression of the slave trade.238, footnote, for sycamora read sycamorus.331, footnote 2, for "see page 289" read "see page 243."509, line 8, for province read, province of Equatoria.

MAPS AND PLANS

Rough Plan of Es Senussi's Zawia at Jerhbub . Facing page 4

Ethnographical Outline Map op the Egyptian

Sudan, 1891 8

Map to show Spread op Mahdi Revolt. Position

at end op 1882 32


at end of 1883 104

Map to show Spread of Mahdi Revolt. Position

at end op 1884 ...... 154

Plan op Khartum, showing Places in the

Neighbourhood 157

Sketch Plan to illustrate the Wreck of the

"Bordein" and the Relief of Sir C.

Wilson's Force by Lord C. Berespord 182

Plan of Khartum, drawn prom rough Sketches

made by the late M. General C. G. Gordon,

C.B 196

Khartum and Environs. As compiled for the

Text 197

La Chute de Khartoum. Plan compiled by the" Defence " in the Court-Martial held in

June 1887 198


at end of 1885 265

Sketch showing order op MarchAttack uroN

Ginnis30th December 1885278Eye Sketch showing Position of Troops in 'Attack upon Ginnis30th December 1885

MAPS AND PLANS


at END OP 1887 Facing page 343

Plan op Khor Mussa Fort .... 350

Sketch op Action against Handub 17th

January 1888 355

Sketch op Country round Fort Hudson . . 356

Sketch op Action near Suakin20th December

1888 365

Profile op Dervish Trenches at SuakinDecem

ber 1888 368


at end op 1888 387

Rough Sketch of Movements op Troops in A S. W.

El Teb on the Night of the 30th April

1889 394

Rough Sketch op the Attempted Dervish Raid

on Serra West on 9th May 1889 . . 396

Eye Sketch of Action at Argin, 2d July 1889 . ,, 409

Sketch of Ground showing Positions of the

Troops during Action op Toski3d August1889 429


at end of 1889 465

Rough Plan of Khalifa Abdullah's House . 483

Rough Plan of the Great Mosque at Omdurman 484

Sketch showing Route traversed by the Eastern

Sudan Expeditionary Force 19th Feb

ruary 1891 499

Action of Afafit19th February 1891 . . 500


at end of February 1891 . . . 508

Map of the Nile Basin . . . In pocket at end

BOOK I

Eastern religious sects in generalThe Sunni Mahdi and the Shia' MahdiTheSenussi confraternityThe "Little Rose "The tenets of the sectIts geographical positionJerhbubMohammed es Senussi and the Sultan of Wad-daiThe Senussi the predicted MahdiThe Mahdiism of Mohammed Ahmedof DongolaThe superstition of the twelfth ImamPrevious Mahdis in

Egypt1The first causes of the revolt in the SudanFive ethnographicalsubdivisions of the SudanCamel-owning Arabs, the first classThe negroid

tribes of Darfur, the second classThe dwellers in towns or villages, thethird classThe cattle-owning Arabs, the Baggara, the fourth classThecattle -owning negroes or negroids, the fifth class The slave trade andits suppression by General GordonThe reasons for the readiness of the

Baggara to revoltMohammed Ahmed begins his divine missionHis earlylifeHis religious trainingHe begins to preach.

Both Christianity and Islam have produced their earnestthoughtful men who have advocated one especial branch of

their religion with such force that many who found the broadgeneral instruction too wide have followed the well-defined

line laid out before them. Thus the Puritans may well becompared with the Wahabis,1 the Senussiyeh with the Lutherans.They are in the main peaceful men that have produced suchmovements, but seldom have their doctrines been spread by

peaceful methods. The Babis, whose headquarters are at Acrein Syria, and whose leader wrote to Her Majesty in 1868, complimenting her on her noble efforts to suppress the slave trade,

have been so far entirely peaceful. They have suffered exileto Cyprus and Khartum, and even martyrdom, for Islam stilllends its name to religious persecution ; but nothing has yetoccurred to push them to aggression.

1 A sect of Moslem revivalists founded by Mohammed Ibn Abd el Wahab, but astheir opponents could not call them Mohammedans they have been distinguished

by the name of the father of the founder of the sect, and are called Wahabis.J) V B

2 HISTORY OF THE SUDAN book

The Sikh religion, to-day associated with a bold and warlike character, was in its origin an earnest effort by Nana Shah,

a poor man living on the boundaries of Buddhism and Islam, tofind a peaceful means whereby both classes might dwell together

in harmony. And it was not until 230 years after Nana'sdeath that the oppression of Islam, as practised by Aurungzebe,

produced the redoubtable warrior Guru Govind. This heroclubbed all sects together in the worship of Durga Bhavani,

the Goddess of Courage, and for years was a very scourge toIslam. His name became a synonym for desperate war.

Mahdiism, with which we have to deal, has two sides to it.There is the Mahdi whose coming is looked forward to by

good Sunnis as the advent of the Messiah is expected by theJews. And there is the Mahdi who disappeared, and may appearmiraculously at any moment to good Shia's. And it is one of

the most singular things in religious history, that Egypt hashad at the same moment within, or in proximity to, its boundaries two thriving Mahdis, one of each kind.

The number of religious confraternities in the East is considerable. They all branch off from one or other of the divinityschools at Cairo, Mecca, Baghdad, or elsewhere. All haverevelations from heaven. These are indispensable, as also are

prophecies. Miracles are not so common, though they are inbetter repute than in the early days of Christianity, when the

Fathers refrained from quoting them as evidence.Many brotherhoods of Africa are distinguished by a sort ofathletic intoxication. This is produced by shaking the head

with a violence which would unseat the reason of an educatedman, and which produces the most desirable symptom of

drunkenness without expense or consequent headache.The SeUussi branch of the Shadli school, so called from theSenus mountain in Algiers, dates its inception about 1837, andreceived great impulse from the favour of Sultan Abdul Mejid

of Turkey towards the sect in 1882. It was in this year thatMukhtar Pasha el Ghazi 1 instructed Sheikh Mohammed AbuZeid in Cairo to print for the sect a thousand prayer-books

inscribed as follows :

1 In the Turkish Empire the title of " Ghazi " implies something similar toour " Field Marshal," and is conferred upon generals and warriors of renown ;it signifies " one who fights in the cause of Islam "a hero.

THE ''LITTLE ROSE"

" The Tagaliat Sheikh Idris, a present from Mukhtar elGhazi to Sidi Mohammed es Senussi, to be distributed among thebrethren, and asking their help in prayer."

The following is a facsimile of what is termed by theSenussi the "little rose," i.e. the Tarikh or way by whichilliterate Arabs are admitted as brethren to the Senussi confraternity. The writing is the facsimile of that of El Mahdi

Sheikh Mohammed es Senussi.The translation is as follows :

" God pardon me " to be said one hundred times. " There is no Godbut God, and Mohammed is His prophet; every glance and every breathis known to Him," to be said three hundred times. " 0 God, pour Thy

blessings on our prophet Mohammed, he who could neither read norwrite, and bless us his followers and friends," to be said one hundredtimes.

i^-

SPThe first chief, Sidi Mohammed Ben Ali es Senussi,

founded some three hundred lodges in the north of Africa, ofwhich the head centre is at Jerhbub, a little to the west of Siwa.

.

HISTORY OF THE SUDAN

There, on a spot given him by the Sultan, he built a strong andlarge enclosure. The Zawia of Islam corresponds to the dehor monastery of Eastern Christianity. The annexed plan of

that at Jerhbub shows the nature of the building, which nowcontains one hundred studentsTunisians, Bedawin, and menfrom the Fayum; while the work of the establishment is carried

on by some three hundred slaves. Here dwells Mohammedes Senussi,1 some forty years- of age, affable and intelligent, not

disdainful of newspapers, and a veritable veiled prophet, wearing always a cloud of fine muslin over his head.

While the chief tenet of the sect is opposition to westerninnovations, its chief support is agriculture. Every littleoasis has its Zawia and its cultivation, and the Senussi for

choice selects those in which the ruins of ancient Eomancivilisation indicate that water was once found there, and will

be found again. Even the spots near the sea, where thewinter rains remain in sufficient quantity to grow a crop ofbarley, are all carefully sown, and support, as at Biringi Mariut,near Alexandria, two or three Zawias.

Supplies are maintained and some gunpowder importedfrom the neighbouring port of Tobruk, an ancient and neglected

harbour, visited in 1883 by Schweinfurth, who describes it asthe best port in North Africa except Bizerta, nearly as largeand as deep as, and more secure than, that of Alexandria.

A second centre is at the south of the Kufara oasis, theZawia el Istat ; while a third of some pretensions is being

erected at Taizerbo. The fortunes of the sect were promoted by a sufficiently politic stroke. The Sultan of Waddai,with whom the Senussi had long been making tentativesof proselytism, had despatched northwards a convoy of slaves ;these were captured near the Egyptian frontier ; the Senussiyeh

attacked the robbers, made them disgorge, instructed theslaves in the tenets of their creed, and sent them back to

Sultan Ali of Waddai, loaded with benefits. This monarchwas shortly afterwards converted, and so many of his subjects

followed his example that when, in 1876, he died and adispute arose as to his succession, the Senussi placed their

nominee, Yusef, on the throne. A glance at the map will showthe importance of this pied & terre. For the men of Waddai

1 Hereafter called " the Senussi " or simply " Senussi."

To face page 4

Bough PUm of E.SSENUSSIS ZAWIA at JERHBUBDrawn by a Aea/Lvc feom m.emj>ry

WEST

RESTH0U8E

SIWAH 6UESTS

Well

- RESTHOUSES

FDR MOGHRABIEH

SOUTHSEIHU

CONCI

SSI'S

LLORS

SENUSSI'S

ROOM

COURT

YARD

ROOMS OF STUDENTS

SHEIKH ABU SEIFS

HOUSES OF THE TEACHERS

in

ANTE ROOM

(0 UJ

I THE SENUSSI THE PREDICTED MAHDI 5

are bold and self-reliant ; they are united by a bond whichhas held good during forty years of peace, and which cannot

but be strengthened should prospect of safe plunder fan thespark of enthusiasm to a glowing heat.

An important part of the story remains to be told.The originator of this movement of reform died some yearsago, and at his death he somewhat guardedly expressed the

view that his son would be the promised Mahdi. Whenasked explicitly if it were so, he replied enigmatically, " God

knows," and hinted that in the year 1300 H. or 1882 this wouldbecome known.

The conditions to be fulfilled by a Mahdi vary accordingto various traditions. According to the Senussiyeh, the presentchief is said to fulfil them, and he has adopted the title, andis styled Mohammed el Mahdi. Perhaps on account of the

Sudan movement, the news of which disturbed Senussi verymuch, his manifestation has, by a later prophecy, been post

poned until 1892, by which time the sect may have perhapsdecided upon a definite line of action. If not, a third prophecy

may be found. The Senussi Mahdi is an able man and hasbrave and warlike agents. His miracles too are excellent.

In a recent conflict between the Mahdiists and the supposedSenussiyeh of the Western Sudan, the latter were accompaniedby a magic tent, always full of eatables, the renown of which

has spread to Asia.Mohammed Ahmed of Dongola took up Mahdiism fromthe Shia' point of view. He is the mysterious and long-

hidden twelfth Imam. Mohammed Ahmed styled himself theMahdi, and in thereby using a more especially Persian and

Shia' superstition, and in calling his followers by the Persianname " Darwish," he and other Mahdis have shown an astuteness which has undoubtedly been of great service to them.

The superstition of the twelfth Imam is a curious one, andappears to meet some want throughout the world, for a similar

superstition exists amongst the Oriental Jews, for whom Eliasplays the part of Mohammed Abu el Kasim el Mahdi, the

superstition regarding whom it is worth while to recount briefly,as it has been and will again be an important starting-point

for Moslem adventurers.

There were twelve Imams, or rather, for the uncertainty,

HISTORY OF THE'SUDAN

which is the value of the whole, begins at the outset, therewere eleven or twelve. The Imam signifies he who precedes

others, in Islam he who takes the lead of prayers in a mosque ;and the Imam par excellence was the great prophet Mohammed,

whose full name was Mohammed Abu el Kasim Ibn Abdullah.He, however, stands by himself, and is not counted among thetwelve. The question as to how the succession to the Imamatshould take place is the original cause of the division which,on Mohammed's death, at once arose in Islam. The Persians

and all Shia's declared that the dignity remained hereditary,while the Sunnis believed it to be elective. As the Persianssupported their view with great acrimony, Mohammed Ahmed

would find in many an old book a copious store of abuseand denunciation of all who refused to admit the exalted

dignity of the true Imam. The Persians called Ali, cousin ofthe prophet, and the fourth khalif, the first Imam. Theyregarded the first three khalifs as usurpers. The eleventhwas one Hassan Askeri. The son of Hassan Askeri was the

twelfth Imam, and named, to increase confusion, MohammedAbu el Kasim el Mahdi el Mahdi meaning " the guide."On his birth his father wished to kill him, and he was concealed by his mother in a cave where no one was permitted to

see him. From his seclusion he issued divine instructions bymessengers.

He did not die, but suffered two eclipses, a short and along one. After the short disappearance a messenger camefrom him who predicted the long eclipse and his own death in

six days, which latter duly occurred. The Mahdi was to reappear from the long eclipse with the prophet Elias at the

second coming of the Messiah ; that is, he might appear at anytime. It will be seen what an opening this gives for adventurers, and it will be readily understood that this Persian superstition was at once denounced by the good Sunnis of Egyptand Turkey. In the Sudan, where the schism was less known,

the idea was accepted on account of what follows. Alreadytwo Mahdis had been successful and founded dynasties inAfrica. The most recent, the dynasty of the Fathemites, wasfounded in 908 by Mohammed Obeid Allah, who called him

self the Mahdi, and drove out of Egypt the descendants ofIbrahim Bin Aghlab (Harun's governor of Africa) and

FIRST CAUSES OF THE REVOLT

established a dynasty of khalifs. The first of these khalifsreigned at Segel Messa, north of Morocco, where this Mahdimanifested himself ; the second at Kairwan, and the third at

Mahadia The fourth was Moez, and the dynasty, of whichthere were fourteen in all, then conquered and reigned in

Egypt from 972 to 1172.Many old Arabic works, Assiuti's History of the Khalifs, ifno other, detailing the fortunes of this Mahdi, must have beenavailable for Mohammed Ahmed, who further adopted on his

banner the word "Keyyum," j.^I an emphasised form of

" Ka'im," *A5 (the subsisting), one of the ninety-nine names for

God.It may be remarked that the position of Segel Messacoincides curiously with that of Sennar. "This town dividesMorocco, that is, the country of the African Arabs, from that

of the regions which these Arabs call the Sudan. There is agreat river passing under its walls which has its source in the

mountains," etc.Mohammed Ahmed's movement was, in the first place, areligious movementthe superior enthusiasm, eloquence, and

dramatic knowledge of one priest over that of his fellows. Itwas recruited by a desire, widespread amongst the villagers,and especially among the superstitious masses of Kordofan, forrevenge for the cruelties and injustice of the Egyptians and

Bashi-Bazuks.1 It swept into force on the withdrawal of allsemblance of government, the sole element opposed to it, andit became a tool for the imperious and warlike Baggara, andenabled them to usurp the vacant throne. Eligion has

thus knit together the different races, each with their owngrievance, and summoned them to the banner of emirs in

search of power and the right to trade in slaves.In order to deal lucidly with this complex subject, reference must be made to the map annexed ; and after a surveyof the population of this immense country, an account of the

1 Bashi-Bazuk is the name given to the irregular Turkish troops, and it isalso applied to the irregular troops in the Sudan, but the latter are not Turks,though many of them are of Turkish origin. The annexation of the Sudan by

Mohammed AH more than a century ago was carried out, for the most part, byirregular Turkish troops ; numbers of these subsequently settled in the Sudan,

intermarried with the inhabitants of the country, and it is from their offspringthat the irregular Sudan troops have been, with some exceptions, recruited.

*"*


Mahdieh, or Mahdiship, will be intelligible, and its successappear reasonable.

The Sudan may for the present purposes be divided by thethirteenth parallel of latitude. This is the division betweenefficient rain and scanty rain, between cattle Arabs and camel

Arabs._jjflHJih gf this parallel camels are not usually bred, north

of it cattle are not found, north of this line are vast steppes,with thinly scattered thorns and with infrequent wel!sT\Herewander the camel -owning Arabs, the Kababish, Ababdeh,

Hadendowa. Shukrieh, and others. Their instincts are naturally peaceful, partly because their property cannot be fencedin, and partly because it brings them profit in proportion as it

is employed in transport of goods. These camel-owning Arabsare the first of five main classes of population. Jp the, south

west, in ^Darfur, the mountainous part of the country isinhabited by negroid tribes, who live in villages, and who,until 1874, formed a kingdom of an ancient line of monarchs.They live at the foot of the mountains, and work in iron,

making good spears and hoes. Should danger arise from theostrich-hunting Arabs who frequent the plains, they retire intothe mountains and are secure.

The ancient kingdom of Darfur was, before its conquest byZubeir, just what the kingdom of Waddai is to-day. The lineof ancient kingdoms running across Africa may be numberedfrom the west as follows : Senegambia, Bambara, Massina,

Gando, Sokoto, Bornu, Bagirmi, Waddai, Darfur, Sennar, andAbyssinia. The people of Darfur are a contented and domesticrace, who view with contempt the undignified activity of the

Arab. These form the second class of the population.The-Hhird class are the dwellers in towns and villages.These are a mixture of almost every Eastern race. By intermarriage with the Bashi - Bazuks, .Egyptians, and" foreigntraders, they form a population which may not inaptly be

compared with that of a Levantine seaportidle, dissolute,drunken, denationalised, they are superstitious to the lowestdegree. At Berber, Khartum, Sennar, such is the population.And the centre of the plains of Kordofan contains a nucleus

of 800 or 900 villages which excel all others in baseness.No superstition is too silly for them, no trickery too gross.

THE BAGGARA

Their fikis, or religious teachers, fatten on their ignorance inthe most shameless manner. The status of a fiki is at oncean index of the abject obedience they pay to one who works

upon their superstition.In Arabic there are ninety-nine names for God, and it ispopularly believed that to each of these names numerousguardian angels are attached. By a constant repetition of one

of these names, accompanied by fasting and prayer, God canbe induced to send down a guardian angel to be the servant of

the worshipper. These worshippers are fikis, invulnerable,supernaturally endowed, and able to work miracles. Theyacquire great wealth from their blind devotees, and lead themunhesitatingly whithersoever they will.

These people live in villages, and each cultivates a littlepatch of duktin, a hardy sort of maize. Their wells are "from 00 tu 100 feet deep, and when they have drawn the

absolutely needful water they do nothing. They producenothing. They never have to fight, for they have nothing to

defend. They attend markets to gossip, lor they have nuLhing-to-sell. No man of ability arises among them, for there is

nothing in which he can excel. Devoted Koman Catholicmissions have found here a population of 130,000, probably

the most worthless in the world. These form the third classof the population.

Below the thirteenth parallel, with rain, come fertilepastures and wooded mountains. Cattle replace camels, andhere~""at the soutn of KbKtofan, and stretching away to the

south-west and north-east, are the tribes and innumerable sub-tribes of the Baggara, the Red Indian of the Sudan.

Jk These are the great slave-dealers and the manliest menof the Sudan. Seated on the banks oi the White Nile, and in

touch at once with the great negro supply to the south, andthe great retail market of Khartum to the north, they are thegreat slave-forwarding agents of the world. This is the fourth

class of the population. Well fed on meat, accustomed todefend their flocks, they are inured to war, and in chronicreadiness to plunder.

BelowCthe Baggara come the cattle-owning necn-npg anA

negroidSjjgfao form the fifth class. They are for the most parta good-tempered and peacefully-inclined race, whose protection


has been the malarious nature of their country. They havefor thirty years supplied the slave market of Khartum, and

some tribes, such as the Bongo, have been almost entirelydeported. The Dinka have covered the 60,000 square milesallotted to them by nature with immense herds of cattle.

Elephants roam the forests of which the wood is sent toKhartum for boat-building. Here was the home of Zubeir :

and Suliman, his son, raised armies of these negroes. Beingheathen, there is no one idea which appeals to large masses ofthem. Stationary as their cattle wealth is stationary, they

dwell in villages of huts, and, like their northern congeners,they work in iron. It is this class, these men described by

Lupton Bey as " mild - tempered, peaceable people," who,under English tuition, have developed an excellent talent forsoldiering. Th_X>inka and Shillnk, yho form for the most

part the black regiments of the Egyptian army, have the warmregard of every one who has been in action with them.

Thousands of these men, now unwillingly serving under theKhalifa, may have to decide the struggle which will ensuewhen any advance is made on the Sudan, and it is believed

that the blacks of Sir Samuel Baker and of General Gordonwill serve under a white man as soon as the opportunityoffers.

From the above summary it will be readily seen how areligious revival was nursed in the superstitious crowds of fiki-

ridden Kordofan and the debased villages of the Nile valley ;and how it was seized as a weapon by the proud Baggara,

deeply resentful of the stoppage of the slave trade ; while thecamel-owning Arabs have always been half-hearted, and will be

the first to welcome a government.The dwellers in the villages and towns, those, in fact,within reach of the irresponsible soldiery who infested them,had for long been the victims of every kind of cruel injusticeand ill-treatment. From the moment of Gordon's departurein 1879 the soldiers and civil functionaries revenged them

selves for enforced good behaviour, and paid off old scores withheavy interest. The wretched creatures would still perhaps

have continued to endure ; for there was no life in a religiousrevival among them. It would have died out, but that it

formed a weapon for the Baggara They it was who gave

I GENERAL GORDON AND THE SLAVE TRADE u

the movement strength ; they who trod the way with enthusiasm ; they who, seizing the weak point in the holyman, pandered to and developed his abnormal uxoriousness ;

they who offered in marriage their daughters in incrediblenumbers, and who shortly seized the reins of power and made

the movement entirely their own.As their name Baggara indicates, they are large owners ofcattle, and are planted in the most favoured portions of the

Sudan. They have in abundance all that constitutes thewealth they know. Cattle, corn, and trade in slaves. Theircountry is in the main the ancient empire of Sennar, and,

until the Egyptian invasion, formed one of a line of thrivingkingdoms stretching right across Africa on the 13th parallel

of latitude. The temperate zone between drought andexcessive rain falls between milk-drinking people and flesh-

eating people. These were the people who suddenly foundthe slave trade stopped, trade of all sorts on the White Nile

wholly stopped, by order of the "governor," and who, in 1881,had begun to seriously consider among themselves what mannerof man it was who gave such an order. The English governor,General Gordon, had gone, and with him the last vestige ofcapable authority. These men, with tarboushes and uniforms,were now left to themselves. Surely with all their insolence

they were a farce. True they had rifles and cannon, but theexperiment of resisting their authority was worth trying.

Gordon had been a scourge to them. A slave-dealer onceknown, no sheikh was sufficiently powerful or great to save himfrom Gordon, or from Gordon's lightning right hand, Gessi.

Zubeir himself, the Tippu-Tib of twenty years ago, was nearlycaught. His son, Suliman Zubeir, was shot with eleven others,

with the remark from Gordon, "Thus does God make gapsin His enemies." And now Gordon was gone, and all theseregiments and mudirs and inspectors for the suppression of

the slave trade were sunk back into the wretched sink of mis-government from which they had been temporarily extricated.

Stewart writes :

"In 1877 Colonel Gordon is appointed Governor-General of theSudan, including Harrar and the Equatorial Provinces. He spent most of

his time in travelling. During his rule the rebellion of Harun in theDarfur Province was put down, as well as that of Suliman Zubeir in the


Bahr el Ghazal Province. Suliman Zubeir was taken and shot.Vigorous efforts were also made to suppress the slave trade.

" In 1880 Raouf Pasha was made Governor-GeneraL He least of allwas fit to ride the storm which Gordon, by his ceaseless vigilance, haddirected. During his rule vigorous efforts were made to limit the

expenditure. In August 1881 Mohammed Ahmed the Mahdi commencedhis divine mission." 1

Gordon had sincerely meant to suppress the slave trade,and with his sincerity was a vigorous ability which left little

which he attempted to do undone. The slave trade wassuppressed temporarily wherever Gordon was. He set thehouse on fire, and Eaouf and Abd el Kader Pashas, who

succeeded him, could do nothing but watch the flames.When the life-giving energy of Gordon was withdrawn,back fell the Egyptians, an inert mass. The mass was their

safety, their great numbers made them for the momentdifficult to attack. Raouf Pasha made economies, and sentthousands of irregular negro and Arab troops to wander insearch of a leader, as if designed to recruit Mohammed Ahmed'sforces.

The ground was well prepared in many ways, but thebroad base of the Mahdi's appeal was the injustice and crueltyof every sort which sprang up the moment Gordon's whole

some discipline was withdrawn.The stage is now ready, and the scene is set, for the introduction of Mohammed Ahmed Ibn Sayid 2 Abdullah.

There is no doubt that, until he was ruined by unbridledsensuality, this man had the strongest head and the clearest

mental vision of any man in the two million square miles ofwhich he more or less made himself master before he died ;

1 It is said that previous to this, early in 1880, Mohammed Ahmed camefrom the island of Abba to El Obeid, where he secretly began to preach his

cause, and one day after the usual Friday prayers he, at the head of a hundredfollowers, with banners, and shouting " Welcome, famous Imamthe Mahdi of

God," proceeded to the mosque of Siwar ed Dahab, where he was arrested by anEgyptian officer and sent to the Mudir, by whom he was imprisoned ; but on therepresentations of Elias Pasha (former mudir of Kordofan), Wad el Arik (chiefmerchant), and Siwari ed Dahab, an influential townsman, that he was a mono

maniac, he was released and returned to Abba.2 "Sayid " must not be confused with "Said." The former signifies '* lord "or "master," while the latter is merely a proper name meaning "the happy

(one)." The prefix "sidi," which frequently occurs, is a form of "Sayid"signifying "my lord " or "my master."

I MOHAMMED AHMED BEGINS TO PREACH 13

and it is a matter of regret that more cannot be learnt of hisearly youth than what follows.

Born at Dongola in 1848, of a family of excellent boat-builders, whose boats are to this day renowned for sound

construction, he was early recognised by his family as theclever one, and, so to speak, went into the Church. At

twenty-two he was already a sheikh with a great reputationfor sanctity, and his preaching was renowned far and wide.

Men wept and beat their breasts at his moving words ; evenhis brother fikis could not conceal their admiration.

The first steps of the Mahdi in his career are of genuineinterest. Tall, rather slight, of youthful build, and, like many

Danagla,1 with large eyes and pleasing features, MohammedAhmed bore externally all the marks of a well-bred gentleman.

He moved with quiet dignity of manner, but there wasnothing unusual about him until he commenced to preach.Then indeed one understood the power within him, which menobeyed. With rapid earnest words he stirred their hearts and

bowed their heads like corn beneath the storm. And what atheme was his ! No orator in France in 1792 could speak ofoppression that here in the Sudan was not doubled. Nonecould address the long-enslaved crowds in France with an

effect that here in the passionate souls of these ignorant menwas not trebled in intensity. What need of description when

he could use denunciation ; when he could stretch forth hislong arm and point to the tax-gatherer who twice, three times,and yet again, carried off the last goat, the last bundle of

dhurra straw, from yon miserable man listening with intenteyes ! And then he urges in warning tones what Whitfield,Wesley, have urged before him, that all this misery, all this

oppression, is God's anger at the people's wickedness. Thatsince the Prophet left the earth the world has all fallen intosin and neglect. But now a time was at hand when all this

should have an end. The Lord would send a deliverer whoshould sweep away the veil before their eyes, clear the madness

from the brain, the hideous dream would be broken for ever,and, strong in the faith of their divine leader, these new-mademen, with clear-seeing vision and well-laid plans before them,should go forth and possess the land. The cursed taxgatherer

1 Plural of Dongolawi, a native of Dongola.

14 HISTORY OF THE SUDAN book i

should be driven into holes and caves, the bribe-taking officialhunted from off the field he had usurped, and the Turk shouldbe thrown to jabber his delirium on his own dunghill. 'With

the coming of the Mahdi the right should triumph and alloppression should have an end. When would this Mahdicome ? 'What wonder that every hut and every thicketechoed the longing for the promised Saviour ! The hot windroamed from desert to plain of withered grass, from mountainrange to sandy valley, and whispered " Mahdi " as it blew ; allnature joined ; how childish, yet how effective. The womenfound the eggs inscribed with " Jesus," " Mohammed," and the

" Mahdi." The very leaves rustled down to the ground, and intheir fall received the imprint of the sacred names. The landwas sown with fikis, many of them passed masters in the artof swaying a crowd. They came and listened, and soon theyrecognised that they had found their master here. The leavenworked rapidly among them, until one evening at Abba Island,a hundred and fifty miles south of Khartum, there came a bandof self-reliant men who heard the stirring words, and saw thetall, slight, earnest figure. They said, " You are our promisedleader," and in solemn secrecy he said, " I am the Mahdi." 1

Thus preaching, Mohammed Ahmed moved about firstamong the villagers along the Nile banks. To them his theme

was oppression of the taxgatherer. And then he marchedthrough the plains and valleys round Gedir. Here he spokeof the defilement of an ancient faith by cowardly Turks, andof renegade foreigners ousting the rightful owners of the land.

Among the Arabs the Baggara Selim, south of the Tagalla,Dair, and Nuba hills, were the first to whom the spark set fire.

1 The Mahdi signifies "the guided" iu the hadaya or true way of salvation,hence "the guide." In the tenets of all sects of the Moslems there is an inti

mate connection between the Mahdi and Jesus Christ. Some believe Christ willbe the Mahdi, i.e. expect His second advent ; others share the opinion as statedby Ibn Khaldun (ob. 1406 A.D. in Cairo), who, in the introduction to his historyof the Arabs, Persians, and Berbers, says: "At all times the Moslems havebelieved that towards the end of the world a man of the Prophet's family wouldappear to sustain the true religion. He will lead the believers and be named

' the Mahdi.' " Then will appear the Messih ed Dejjal (Antichrist). After theappearance of the latter, Christ (Jesus) will come down from heaven and destroyhim, and the Mahdi will become Christ's Imam.

BOOK II

1882

Raouf Pasha attempts to capture the Mahdi at AbbaThe attempt failsTheMahdi retires to the mountains south of EordofanMohammed Pasha Saiddespatched to Eaua with a forceRashid Bey defeated by the Mahdi atJebel GedirMohammed Ahmed secures the alliance of the BaggaraRaouf

Pasha enrols irregular troopsTribes in Eordofan, Sennar, and the EasternSudan waveringRaouf Pasha recalledGeigler Pasha acts as a Governor-GeneralYusef Pasha esh Shellali despatched to EauaAhmed el Makashifenters Sennar and sacks the townTroops besieged in the MudiriehSaleh

Bey relieves SennarThe Egyptian troops defeat the rebels at KarkojRebels defeat Egyptians at MessalamiehGeigler Pasha's victory at AbuHarazAbd el Eader Pasha succeeds Raouf Pasha as Governor-GeneralYusef Pasha esh Shellali completely defeated by the Mahdi at MasatAbdel Eader Pasha repairs the fortifications of Ehartum, mobilises a force of12,000 men Garrison of Shatt annihilated Rebels repulsed with greatloss at DuemEl Birket in Eordofan besiegedReinforcements from ElObeid defeat rebels near EashgilInhabitants of Ashaf massacredEgyptian

force routs rebels at Awlad MurujBara attackedFighting at ShatturaBara investedStory of Father BonomiMahdi invited by Elias Pasha tocome to El ObeidHe leaves Jebel GedirMek Omar besieges and capturesthe mission station of Jebel Delen Fiki Minneh attacks Et Tayara

Birket capturedMahdi invests El ObeidTown deserted by inhabitantsGarrison strongly entrench themselvesMahdi attacks but is repulsed withgreat lossAbd el Eader Pasha despatches reinforcements, which are heavily

defeated at El Eaua,Bara garrison makes successful sortieNur Angarajoins the rebelsAbd el Eader Pasha telegraphs to Cairo for reinforcements

Geigler Pasha secures slight success at DuemEvents in DarfurTheemir Madibbo seizes Shakka, but is repulsed at El Maalieh Madibboattacks and is defeated by Slatin Bey at Injileila, and again near Darra

Rebels defeated near OmshangaEvents in Bahr-el-GhazalDescriptionof country and tribesLupton Bey GovernorThe suds of the NileSubdivision of districts in the provinceCauses of the revoltFirst outbreak atTel GaunaRevolt of the Janghe tribeAction at Tuj Sheikh Jangodefeated near Tel GaunaEvents in EquatoriaDescription of the province

Emin Bey GovernorThe tribesStations and garrisonsCauses of thelocal revoltsEabarega, Eing of TJnyoroReswm.6 of situation in the Sudanat the end of 1882The loyalty of the Shukrieh.


The first clash with authority, the touchstone of success or failure,was not long in coming. The issue could not long be doubtful.

It happened thus. Much discussion arose at Khartum atthe news of a Mahdi manifestation. Marcopoli Bey, a Greekstorekeeper in Government service, wished to bring MohammedAhmed to Khartum to examine him. Abu Saoud, who has

attained notoriety as a scoundrel, even in the Sudan, byurgency prevailed upon Eaouf Pasha to send him to Abba,with four of the ulema.1 Abu Saoud belonged to the great

Ghattas family, who for years had farmed the Equatorial Provinces, and who, it seems probable, actually held a lease of the

(slave) trade in this country at the time it was placed underSir Samuel Baker that he might suppress the traffic.

These went to Abba Island in a steamer, and landing,called loudly for the Mahdi. He presently came with muchmeekness, his hands hidden in his robe, and seated himself on

the angarib (native couch) beside Abu Saoud. "What is allthis about ? " blustered the Egyptian.

" I am the Mahdi," gently replied the new prophet." Youmust come with us to Khartum."" I do not wish to go toKhartum."" But you must."" Must ! " said the Mahdi, risingwith his hand upon his sword. Abu Saoud retreated, called

together the ulema, and embarked.Returning to Khartum, they woke up Eaouf Pasha atnight. " Give me fifty men," said Abu Saoud, " and I willbring the impostor here."

Abu Saoud was no soldi

Mahdiism and the Egyptian Sudan

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