Egypt’s conscription needs drove Mehmed Ali to target Syria for manpower

Evidence

Although Egypt was one of the most populous provinces in the area, the Pasha’s conscription policy as well as the different wars his forces were engaged in meant that there was a very real danger that the agricultural fields would be left unattended. The Pasha was also concerned about the effect that wars could have on his economically productive population. He is reported to have once said, “Countries with no subjects are no countries.” In that respect, too, the Pasha had every reason to look to Syria. With a population said to be around two million people, it was very attractive for the Pasha to contemplate using its manpower. As early as 1825 he is said to have had in mind the possibility of conscripting the inhabitants of Mount Lebanon who were reputed to make brave and strong soldiers. — Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed Ali, his…, 216