All the Pasha's Men: Mehmed Ali, his Army and the Making of Modern Egypt

by Khaled Fahmy

Overview

Khaled Fahmy offers a new interpretation of modern Egyptian history and the rise of Egyptian nationalism in a theoretically informed study. Basing his work on previously neglected archival material, the author demonstrates how Mehmed Ali built up the Egyptian army to further his own ambitions rather than as a means of gaining Egyptian independence. In this way, the book challenges traditionally held views about early nineteenth-century Egypt and the role of Mehmed Ali as the founder of modern Egypt. The book will be essential reading for students of the Middle East, Ottomanists, military historians and those interested in the construction of the modern nation state.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521560078
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/13/1997
Series:	Cambridge Middle East Studies , #8
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	356
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.26(d)

About the Author

Khaled Fahmy is associate professor in the Department of Middle Eastern Studies at New York University.

Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. Between Sultan and vali: Syria and the nature of Mehmed Ali's military expansion; 2. The birth of an army: conscription and resistance; 3. From peasants to soldiers: discipline and training; 4. Beyond the facade of order: the performance of the army; 5. Behind the lines: daily life in the camps; 6. The army and the Egyptian nation; 7. The Egyptian vali, the Ottoman Pashas and the British Lord; Conclusion.

Editorial Reviews

'Fahmy has carefully examined and synthesized an unusually wide range of archival and published sources, and his conclusions are cogently and clearly presented. This is also a very readable book.' Avigdor Levy, The International History Review

'Khaled Fahmy has made an important contribution to the field. Students of Egypt, the Middle East, nineteenth-century military history, and civil-military relations should read this book.' The Journal of Military History

'... Fahmy's book represents an important and unique contribution to the social history of Egypt and will certainly command a permanent revision of the literature on Mehmed Ali's reign.' Turkish Studies Association Bulletin

'This book is based on an impressive amount of new research uncovering multitudes of documents from Egyptian archival material from the nineteenth century.' Journal of Palestine Studies

'...well-researched and carefully argued study...' International Journal of Middle East Studies

'It is a critical text for scholars concerned with contemporary academic debates pertaining to Ottoman decline and to modern constructions of Middle East nationalisms and Islamisms.' Religious Studies Review

‘ … Khaled Fahmy orients the focus of his research away from Mehmed Ali’s character and towards one of his great achievements: the founding of a modern army in Egypt … The book makes extensive use of the Egyptian national archives and itemizes much detailed information, but the over-riding argument is forthright. Egypt’s new army did not give vent to an emergent tide of pent-up nationalism against the Ottomans ‘as soldiers far from rushing enthusiastically to join the colors and defend the nation, came to view conscription as a heavy tax exacted by an already oppressive and intolerant regime’ … Fahmy’s study makes both interesting and stimulating reading which is certain to provoke much discussion.’ The Historical Association

From the Publisher