Ismail Pasha - Khedive of Egypt

Ismail Pasha – some considered him a disaster for Egypt, while others considered him an acceptable reformer, but in the end he was the only one who was nicknamed “the Great”.
This is a book about the biography of Ismail Pasha, the Khedive of the first dynasty, grandson of Ali, who was known for his love of extravagance, but also for his many achievements, and certainly for the modernization that occupied him well during his reign.
Ismail Pasha was born in 1830 and ruled Egypt from 1863 to 1879. Unlike his grandfather, of Turkish-Macedonian origin, who relied on force of arms, Ismail inherited a prosperous Egypt strategically located on the route to India. With him, a modernization journey began in a country that emulated the major European powers: the Suez Canal; Western-adopted educational reforms; systemic reforms; and improvements to infrastructure and transportation. For this reason, Ismail Pasha also invested heavily in securing the title of Khedive from the Sublime Porte. Ultimately, after his abdication in 1879, Egypt's rulers inherited his achievements and title, but also a country on the brink of war. Some considered him a disaster for Egypt, while others regarded him as an exceptional reformer, but in the end, he was the only one to be called "the Great."
This book is a biography of Ismail Pasha, the first Khedive and grandson of Muhammad Ali, who was famous for his tendency towards extravagance, but also for his many achievements and the modernization that kept him busy throughout his reign.
Ismail Pasha was born in 1830 and ruled Egypt from 1863 to 1879. Unlike his grandfather, who was of Turkish-Macedonian origin and seized power by force, Ismail inherited a prosperous Egypt with a strategic location on the route to India. With him began a modernization journey in a country that was starting to resemble the great European powers: the Suez Canal; Western-borrowed methods for modernizing the education sector; reform of the judicial system; and development of infrastructure and transportation. Moreover, Ismail Pasha spent vast sums to secure the title of "Khedive" from the Sublime Porte. Ultimately, after being forced to abdicate in 1879, Egypt's rulers inherited his achievements, his title, and a country on the brink of collapse.