The beginnings of the Egyptian question and the rise of Mehemet Ali : a study in the diplomacy of the Napoleonic era based on researches in the British and French archives

This study traces the origins of the Egyptian Question through the upheavals unleashed by Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt in 1798. It places Egypt at the center of the rivalry between France and Britain, while examining the strategic importance, political instability, and economic power that made the country a prize for competing empires.

Drawing on British and French archival research, the narrative follows the diplomatic calculations surrounding the collapse of old arrangements and the emergence of new forces in Egypt. It offers a clear account of the world in which Mehemet Ali rose to prominence, connecting military conflict, imperial ambition, and the wider Eastern Question. With an unusual perspective shaped by both Egyptian and European historical traditions, this work will appeal to listeners interested in Napoleon, Anglo-French relations, Ottoman history, and the foundations of modern Middle Eastern politics.