Mehmed Ali’s 1838 bid for independence served his family, not the Egyptian nation

Evidence

It would be erroneous therefore to argue that when the Pasha decided to officially ask for independence from the Ottoman Empire in May 1838 he was acting on behalf of the Egyptian population and expressing their sentiments, sentiments that made them see themselves as different and distinct from other subjects of the Ottoman Sultan. What prompted the Pasha to make this bold move, rather, was his desire to secure his efforts in Egypt to his family and his sons after him. — Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed Ali, his…, 1537

Categorization

• XREF: Challenges nationalist readings; relevant to understanding the army being a dynastic tool.