Battle of Omdurman

Background. The Mahdist government maintained sovereignty over Sudanese territories from 1885 until its termination by Anglo-Egyptian forces in 1898. In March 1896, Salisbury ordered Kitchener to invade northern Sudan to distract the Ansar from attacking the Italians, and an Anglo-Egyptian army under General Herbert Kitchener began the reconquest of Sudan. After the loss of Dongola in September 1896, then Berber and Abu Hamad to Kitchener's army in 1897, the Khalifa sent an army that was defeated at the Battle of Atbara River on 8 April 1898, afterwards falling back to his new capital of Omdurman.

Forces. The Khalifa committed his 52,000-man army to a frontal assault against the Anglo-Egyptian force massed on the plain outside Omdurman. Kitchener arrived on 1 September 1898 supported by a powerful flotilla of gunboats. The Ansar marched under black banners inscribed with Koranic quotations, chanting battle challenges as they swept over the intervening ground.

Outcome. The Khalifa's army was destroyed at the Battle of Omdurman. Kitchener was credited for securing control of the Sudan, leading to his creation as Baron Kitchener, of Khartoum and of Aspall in the County of Suffolk, on 31 October 1898. The Khalifa escaped but was killed in 1899. The victory established Anglo-Egyptian dominance, ending the Mahdist State's existence.