Mohammed Ali
Mohammed Ali (1769-1849), pasha (governor) of Egypt, 1805-49. Under his rule Egypt began to develop into a modern nation. Mohammed Ali introduced the planting of cotton, which soon became Egypt's leading export. He set up irrigation projects, encouraged investment of foreign capital, and sent Egyptians to European schools. These innovations were often unpopular, but Mohammed Ali allowed no opposition. His descendants ruled Egypt until 1952.
Mohammed Ali was born in Greece, probably of Turkish parentage. He served in Egypt against invading French forces, 1799-1801, and gained political control after the French left. In 1805 he was appointed governor by the Turkish sultan, Selim III, but for all practical purposes ruled independently. He conquered Syria and Palestine in 1831, but was forced by European intervention to withdraw in 1840. He also conquered parts of the Sudan and Arabia.