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As Egypt became more dependent on Britain economically, native Egyptian leaders, became less powerful within the government. Finally Ismail Pasha, grandson of Mehemet, who reigned from 1864 to 1879, ran up enormous debts, which he could not manage, and had to turn over most of Egypt's finances to the Europeans. It was in this environment that Arabi Pasha, an Egyptian General who was able to win most of the army and much of the Egyptian parliament to his side, rose against the Khedive and attempted to assume control of the country. With so much at stake, Britain assumed the responsibility for putting down the rebellion. The Egyptian forces under Arabi, were of course, no match for the modern British forces. They were decisively defeated at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir.
Date | Battle Summary | |
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Battle of Alexandria
British victory
Arabi Pasha having refused to cease work upon the forts of Alexandria, the Admiral, Sir Beauchamp Seymour, who had under his command a fleet of 8 battleships and 5 gun-boats, decided to shell them. He opened fire on the morning of July 11, 1882, and the bombardment continued till the evening of the 12th, when the forts were totally destroyed, and the garrison abandoned the city. The gunboat Condor, under Lord Charles Beresford, particularly distinguished herself, running close in under the forts, and doing considerable damage. | ||
Battle of Tel-el-Mahuta
British victory
Fought August 24, 1882, when the Egyptians attempted to oppose the march of the British advance guard, under General Graham, to Kassassin. They made, however, but a feeble resistance, and were driven off with heavy loss. | ||
Battle of Kassassin
British victory
Fought August 28, 1882, between the British, under General Graham, and the Egyptians, under Arabi Pasha. Arabi attacked the British position, Graham remaining on the defensive throughout the day, but towards evening he launched his heavy cavalry, under Sir Baker Russell, against the enemy, who broke and fled. The British losses were only 11 killed and 68 wounded. | ||
Battle of Tel-el-Kebir
British victory
Fought September 13, 1882, when the British, 17,000 strong, under Lord Wolseley, after a night march across the desert, attacked and stormed Arabi's entrenchments, which were defended by 22,000 Egyptians. The British lost 339 killed and wounded, the Egyptian loss was very heavy. |
Leader of an insurrectionary movement in Egypt in 1882 | |
British general who led several wars in Africa including putting down the Arabi and Ashanti rebellions. |
Recent Times in | The Hanoverians by C. J. B. Gaskoin |
Gathering Clouds in | Life of Gladstone by M. B. Synge |
Gordon—The Hero of Khartum in | Growth of the British Empire by M. B. Synge |
Gloomy Days in Egypt in | The Reign of Queen Victoria by M. B. Synge |
Kassassin and Tel-el-Kebir in | The Boy's Book of Battles by Eric Wood |
Image Links | ||
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![]() Bombardment of Alexandria by the British Fleet in Greatest Nations - Persia |
![]() Rioting in Alexandria during the Bombardment in Greatest Nations - Persia |
![]() Kassassin: Ewart led his men bang into the Egyptian infantry. in The Boy's Book of Battles |