Mehmed Ali imposed a ceiling on native Egyptian officer advancement

Evidence

Moreover, although according to an initial plan it was possible to promote evlad-ɩ Arab, (lit. sons of Arabs, i.e. Arabic-speaking Egyptians) to the rank of Binbaşɩ Mülazimi, Mehmed Ali insisted that no fellahin should be promoted beyond the rank of bölükbaşɩ “commanding twenty-five soldiers.” — Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed Ali, his…, 450