The British occupation of Egypt (1882-1914 AD): the revolution of Urabi, Lord Cromer and the rise of the national movement

1. The Urabi Revolution and the historical position of Abdeen (1881-1882 AD)

Khedive Tawfiq's pro-foreign policies and War Minister Othman Rifqi's persecution of Egyptian officers brought the national army to a boil. Al-Bakbashi Ahmed Orabi led the Egyptian officers' movement:

• Abdeen Rally (September 9, 1881 AD): Orabi led the army and people to Abdeen Palace Square and presented the demands of the nation: dismissal of Riyadh Pasha's ministry, formation of a European-style parliament, and increase of the army to 18,000 soldiers;
• Immortal Word of Orabi: When Khedive Tawfiq said: "You have no right to all these requests, and I have inherited the kingship of this land from my fathers and grandfathers, and you are nothing but slaves to our benevolence," Orabi decisively replied: "God created us free and not as an inheritance or property. By God, except for whom there is no God, from now on we will neither inherit nor be enslaved."
• The Khedive responded to the demands and the ministry of Sharif Pasha was formed and the basic provisions of the constitution were drafted.

2. The bombardment of Alexandria, the battle of Tel el-Kebir and the occupation of Cairo

Britain saw the Urabi Revolution as a threat to its interests and the Suez Canal. In June 1882 AD, violent incidents occurred in Alexandria to justify military intervention:

• Bombardment of Alexandria (11 July 1882 AD): British naval guns bombarded and destroyed the fortifications of Alexandria, and the army led by Orabi held on to Kafr al-Dawwar and repelled landing attempts.
• De Lesseps' Betrayal: De Lesseps deceived Orabi and promised neutrality of the Suez Canal and prevented the entry of warships, but allowed the British fleet to cross the canal and land in Ismailia.
• Battle of Tell El-Kebir (September 13, 1882 AD): In a surprise attack at dawn, aided by the betrayal of some Bedouins and advisors, the Egyptian army was defeated and British forces entered Cairo on September 14, 1882 AD, occupying the mountain castle. Orabi and his companions were exiled to the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

3. The reign of Lord Cromer and the Denshway incident (1906 AD)

Britain established a system of “covert protection”; The Khedive remained a name, while real power was in the hands of the British commissioner Evelyn Baring (Lord Cromer) for a quarter of a century (1883-1907 AD). Cromer dedicated the Egyptian economy to the textile mills of Lancashire, Britain, neglecting industrial and higher education.

4. The struggle of Mustafa Kamel and Muhammad Farid and the awakening of national consciousness

The national movement was greatly revitalized in the early 20th century thanks to the efforts of young national figures:

• Former writer (1874-1908): "The king's father was the king's son." He founded the Al-Liwaa newspaper in 1900 AD. C., published complaints about the occupation in Paris and London, founded the National Party in 1907 AD. C. and called for the establishment of the Egyptian National University.
• Leader Muhammad Farid (1868-1919 AD): He continued the struggle after the death of Mustafa Kamel and spent all his wealth on the national cause. He founded the first workers' union in Egypt (1909 AD) and popular night schools to educate workers and peasants free of charge until he died in poverty in his German exile.

5. Leaders of the National Movement: Mustafa Kamel, Muhammad Farid and the Dinshaway tragedy

Egyptian youth and intellectuals waged a civil and diplomatic struggle that shook the foundations of the British Empire in international forums:

• Leader Mustafa Kamel and Al-Liwaa newspaper: founded the National Party, issued his famous saying: “If I were not Egyptian, I would like to be Egyptian” and took the Egyptian cause to the capitals of Europe and France.
• The Denshaway Incident (1906 AD): The British occupation executed innocent peasants in the village of Denshaway in Menoufia, and Mustafa Kamel took advantage of this in a major international press campaign that forced the British government to dismiss British commissioner Lord Cromer.
• Leader Mohamed Farid: He spent his entire fortune supporting unions and night schools for the people, and continued the fight in exile in Europe until his death in defense of Egypt's total independence and the constitution.

6. Architectural evidence of colonial-era battles in Cairo and the Canal

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• Abdeen Square in Cairo: Witness the historic stance of leader Ahmed Orabi in front of the Khedive Tawfiq on September 9, 1881 AD. and his statement: “God created us free and did not create us as inheritance or property.”
• Dinshaway Tombs and Museum in Menoufia – a building documenting the events of the tragedy, colonial-era gallows and statues of stalwart farmers.
• Landmarks of the canal cities (Port Said, Ismailia, Suez): evidence of the former British base camps of Fayed and the epics of the Egyptian guerrillas in the Tell El-Kebir field.