A large military demonstration in September 1881…

A large military demonstration in September 1881 forces the Khedive of Egypt to dismiss his Prime Minister.

The completion of the Suez Canal in 1869 had given Britain a faster route to India and made the semi-autonomous Ottoman Khedivate of Egypt increasingly reliant on Britain for both military and economic aid.

The previous Khedive, Isma'il Pasha, a grandson of Muhammad Ali, had made no effort to reconcile with the European powers, who in 1879 had pressured the Ottoman sultan into removing him from power.

Isma'il had been succeeded by his eldest son Tewfik, who, unlike his younger brothers, had not been educated in Europe.

He has pursued a policy of closer relations with Britain and France, but opposition to European control has led to growing tension among notable natives, the most dangerous opposition coming from the army.