A Mamluk Bey in London: Muhammad Bey El-Elfî (October-December 1803)
This study aims to explain that after the Napoleonic invasion of Egypt, the decadence of Mamluk Beys the traditional actors in the Egyptian domestic politics, and one of them, Muhammad Bey el-Elfî’s solution seeking in London. Elfî was the last great Mamluk Bey in Egypt. After the invasion of Egyp...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Hale Şıvgın
2015-12-01
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| Series: | Gazi Akademik Bakış |
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| Online Access: | http://www.gaziakademikbakis.com/index.php/gab/article/view/273 |
| Summary: | This study aims to explain that after the Napoleonic invasion of Egypt, the decadence of Mamluk Beys
the traditional actors in the Egyptian domestic politics, and one of them, Muhammad Bey el-Elfî’s
solution seeking in London. Elfî was the last great Mamluk Bey in Egypt. After the invasion of Egypt,
his relations with Sublime Porte and England and also other Mamluk factions have not been clarified
completely. In addition Elfî’s power was based on his household and economic dignity. For this reason
Elfî Bey can be considerd as one of the representatives of the ‘ancien regime’ of Ottoman Egypt. In
that case, struggles between Mamluk factions and Egypt become an international issue in the eyes of
Britain and France. Elfî Bey, seeking an answer the question of How to survive the Mamluks?, asked
for help from Britain. It is very obvious that England supported the Sublime Port against Bonaparte
and also mediated between the Sublime Porte and the Mamluks. Even this was the reason for his travel
to London. So it will be described his activities in the October-December 1803 in London on behalf of
Memluks. The National Archives documents (in Britain), The Ottoman archive and news about Elfî
Bey and his activities in London in Brtish press elucidated this issue. |
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| ISSN: | 1307-9778 1307-9778 |