Tewfik Pasha

Muhammad Tawfiq Pasha (15 November 1852 – 7 January 1892), known as Tewfik Pasha, was Khedive of Egypt and Sudan from 26 June 1879 to 7 January 1892 and the sixth ruler of the Muhammad Ali dynasty. The eldest son of Khedive Isma'il, he inherited a state in financial and political crisis; his reign saw the Urabi revolt, the British bombardment of Alexandria in 1882 and the beginning of the British occupation of Egypt. ^{1 2}

He was born in Cairo. The English article's lead gives his birth as "April 30 or 15 November 1852"; its infobox, the Arabic and French articles and Wikidata give 15 November 1852, which is the date followed here. Unlike his younger brothers he was not sent to Europe for his education but grew up in Egypt, though he spoke French and English fluently. After his father's 1866 success in changing the succession to pass from father to son, he became heir apparent, and for twelve years he lived quietly on a palace estate near Cairo, farming and gaining a reputation for good sense. In 1878 he briefly served as president of the council after Nubar Pasha's dismissal. ^{1 3}

On 26 June 1879 Britain and France pressed Sultan Abdul Hamid II to depose Isma'il, and Tawfiq was proclaimed Khedive. Anglo-French dual control was re-established in November 1879, and officials such as Evelyn Baring and Auckland Colvin effectively governed while army disaffection grew into the movement led by Ahmed Urabi. In July 1882 the British admiral threatened to bombard Alexandria's forts; Tawfiq refused to leave, saying he was still Khedive and would remain with his people in the hour of danger, and he escaped an attack on his palace during the bombardment. After the Battle of Tel el-Kebir he accepted the position of a constitutional ruler under British guidance, consented to abandon the Sudan in 1884, and took a close interest in irrigation, education and justice; he also closed the court's harem quarters and sold his father's female slaves. In June 1888 he showed initiative in dismissing Nubar Pasha and summoning Riad Pasha. ^{1 2}

In Cairo on 15 January 1873 he married Princess Emina Ilhamy, his only wife; the English article describes him as a strong advocate of monogamy whose manners were more European than oriental. He died of influenza on 7 January 1892 at Helwan Palace near Cairo, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Abbas Hilmi II. His burial place is given as Qubbat Afandina in Cairo. ¹