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Triton XXV Online Sessions 25-26 Jan 2022
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MAHDIST WAR, Sudan. Khartoum. Besieged by Muhammad Ahmad ('the Mahdi'), 13 March 1884-26 January 1885. 2500 Piastres. Signed by General Charles Gordon. Reverse stamped "RESTITUE/ PAR LA COMISSION/ DES INDEMNITES DU SOUDAN. Pick S109. VF.
The Mahdist uprising, led by the cleric Muhammad Ahmad, also known as the Mahdi ("Guided one") attempted to separate Sudan from the rule of Egypt, and by extension the British Empire. Egypt was at the time severely indebted to the European powers. The country's British governors responded with austerity, cutting the funding for the defense Sudan, and ordering the withdrawal of their garrisons. Thinking that the Mahdist rebels would be less inclined to attack a force led by the British, the famous General Charles Gordon was chosen to lead the withdrawal.
Soon after arriving in Khartoum, Gordon realized that any attempt to leave the city in force would be met by an attack. With his forces too poorly organized and trained to fight the rebels directly, and the British government vetoing other proposals, his only choice was to settle in for a siege. A relief column sent down the Nile defeated the Mahdists at the Battle of Abu Klea on 17 January 1885 and made for Khartoum, arriving on 28 January. But they were too late – on 26 January 1885, the Mahdist rebels captured the city, massacring the Egyptian soldiers and General Gordon himself.
The Mahdist uprising, led by the cleric Muhammad Ahmad, also known as the Mahdi ("Guided one") attempted to separate Sudan from the rule of Egypt, and by extension the British Empire. Egypt was at the time severely indebted to the European powers. The country's British governors responded with austerity, cutting the funding for the defense Sudan, and ordering the withdrawal of their garrisons. Thinking that the Mahdist rebels would be less inclined to attack a force led by the British, the famous General Charles Gordon was chosen to lead the withdrawal.
Soon after arriving in Khartoum, Gordon realized that any attempt to leave the city in force would be met by an attack. With his forces too poorly organized and trained to fight the rebels directly, and the British government vetoing other proposals, his only choice was to settle in for a siege. A relief column sent down the Nile defeated the Mahdists at the Battle of Abu Klea on 17 January 1885 and made for Khartoum, arriving on 28 January. But they were too late – on 26 January 1885, the Mahdist rebels captured the city, massacring the Egyptian soldiers and General Gordon himself.