Muhammad Ali founds his dynasty in Egypt

Background. Muhammad Ali rose to power through political maneuvers during the infighting between Ottomans and Mamluks from 1801 to 1805. He aligned with Omar Makram, leader of Egyptian resistance against the French, and gained public support. In 1805, prominent Egyptians led by the ulama demanded his replacement of Wāli Hurshid Pasha, leading the Ottomans to yield and recognize him as governor.

Dynastic Founding. The 1805 recognition of Muhammad Ali as Wāli marked the point at which effective Ottoman control over Egypt had, for all intents and purposes, ended, even though nominal Ottoman sovereignty persisted as a legal fiction. His descendants, including Ibrahim Pasha, Abbas I, and Sa'id Pasha, followed his example in using his title. The dynasty his recognition founded would rule Egypt for over a century, until the revolution of 1952.

Political Context. Sultan Selim III had recognized the need to reform the Ottoman military. Muhammad Ali's rise was facilitated by his alignment with local resistance leaders and his ability to navigate the political landscape between 1801 and 1805. The ulama's demand for his appointment as Wāli in 1805 was a critical turning point, resulting in Ottoman acceptance of his governorship.