The Age of Napoleon Podcast Episode 50: Egypt Epilogue with Derek Davison
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May 21, 2019 Guest Derek Davison, Middle Eastern history expert, discusses the remarkable reign of Muhammad Ali, army reform, orientalism, and the lasting implications of Napoleon's expedition on the Middle East. Also, a new project involving a newsletter is mentioned.
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Muhammad Ali's Political Rise
- Muhammad Ali rose from Albanian second-in-command to hereditary ruler by exploiting factionalism after the French left Egypt.
- He consolidated power by positioning himself between the Ottomans, Mamluks, and Albanian troops and was appointed governor in 1805.
Massacre At The Citadel
- In 1811 Muhammad Ali lured 74 leading Mamluks into a Citadel ceremony and then had them massacred.
- That massacre decisively ended Mamluk power and left Muhammad Ali as undisputed ruler of Egypt.
Military Reform Drove Broader Modernization
- Military modernization under Muhammad Ali required broad institutional change beyond weapons.
- He created officer academies, sent officers to Europe, and built schools for languages, medicine, engineering, and veterinary science.