Physical limits of Mehmed Ali’s presence drove creation of bureaucratic substitutes to represent him.

Evidence

Furthermore, the use of the sovereign’s body had its limitations, too. For inasmuch as Mehmed Ali wanted to convey the idea that he, like God, could be at more than one place at the same time, he was, after all, only too human. Moreover, if the Pasha, by constantly roaming around looking over his officials’ shoulders, hoped to produce in them the feeling that he was perpetually present, then more subtle ways were soon to be discovered which, it was hoped, would substitute for his body, represent him in his absence, and so perpetuate the feeling of his ever-powerful presence. — Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed Ali, his…, 689