Mehmed Ali substituted his own personal name for lacking dynastic legitimacy.

Evidence

Given his inherently contradictory position vis-à-vis both the Sultan in Istanbul and the Egyptian population, Mehmed Ali had nothing to resort to but his own self and his own name to legitimate his rule. When in 1826 he decided on a design for his army’s flags, an important symbol of power, the Pasha chose one that was similar to that used by Sultan Mahmud II, and to mark his insignia of power in a manner that would distinguish them from those of his nominal ruler, he had nothing to resort to except his own name. To honor the two regiments which were particularly brave during the siege of Acre, the Pasha ordered two flags to be handed to the regiments’ colonels, with the words “Mehmed Ali” inscribed on them. Similarly, to commemorate the fall of Acre a medal was cast with his name inscribed on it in precious stones. In 1836 he ordered the head of his navy to hang wooden plaques inscribed with his name in the cabins of every line-of-battle ship. Most telling is the answer he gave to Ibrahim when the latter had reached Kütahia, a day’s marching distance from Istanbul, and when his victorious son was pleading with him to press for independence. In response to these repeated pleas, and finding no plausible excuses to legitimate his rebellion against the Sultan, Mehmed Ali replied saying, “My Mehmed Ali-ness is enough for me.” — Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed Ali, his…, 1550

Categorization

• CANDY: ‘My Mehmed Ali-ness is enough for me’ is a wonderfully quotable reply to Ibrahim at Kütahia.