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is his amazing story and how he transformed for ill or good Egypt. He would
rule Egypt for forty-three years; the longest in modern Egyptian
history. Muhammad `Aliy is also credited to have initiated
a process of modernization and the development of a modern state system
in Egypt. His dynasty was to rule Egypt until 1952.
During
that period, the whole of Egypt would become his private estate.
For the
first years in Egypt, Muhammad `Aliy spent his
time consolidating his rule and systematically eliminating opposition.
On his way to the top he conveniently had changed sides several times,
sometimes supporting the Mamaliyk (Mamluks) against the Turks and
sometimes the Turks against the Mamaliyk. As a ruthless contender
to power he did not hesitate to eliminate his opponents; his enemies often
had their heads skinned and stuffed with straw!
Instilling
fear and respect among both foe and admirer Muhammad `Aliy
rightly earned for himself the nickname:
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