The meaning of civilizing (tamdïn) shifted throughout Muhammad Ali’s reign.

Evidence

The historian Nissim Maqqar concludes that documents like the above affirm the scientific goals of the expedition: to bring home geographic knowledge of the White Nile and to civilize (tamdïn) the tribes and uncivilized groups living along the river. In many instances, Maqqar takes Muhammad Alï at his word, but it may be helpful to problematize the word tamdïn, loaded with meanings that changed with every decade of the viceroy's reign. — <cite>Eve M. Troutt Powell, A Different Shade of Colonialism_…, 196</cite> (#corroborates`, via linked claim)

Categorization

  • XREF: connects to: Egyptians under Muhammad Ali internalized empire as they mapped Sudan; The Arabic term tamdïn carried shifting meanings across Muhammad Ali’s reign — Eve M. Troutt Powell, A Different Shade of Colonialism_…, 196

Broader Connections