Egyptian Sudan 12 Muhammad Ahmad and the Revolution Muhammad Ahmad al-Mahdi was the son of a carpenter who studied religious sciences in Khartoum and followed the Sammaniyya order. He lived with his carpenter brothers on Aba Island, where his students and followers increased. In the year 81 [Hijri], he openly declared his Mahdist claim and urged his companions to rise with him to support religion and wage jihad in the path of God, as many were doing. When news of him reached Raouf Pasha, the governor of Sudan, he sent a message asking him about his claims and his pronouncements. He replied that he was the awaited Mahdi. Muhammad Bey Abu al-Saud, one of the mu'awin, was sent to him. He entered his dwelling and asked him about his claim. He replied: "I am the Mahdi, I am the one in authority." Abu al-Saud returned to Raouf Pasha and recounted the story of Muhammad Ahmad. Raouf Pasha sent two battalions to arrest him. Muhammad Ahmad had gathered his followers. When the soldiers descended to the riverbank, his men defeated them. The soldiers were not vigilant, and the Mahdi feared the consequences. He led those with him to Jabal Qadir. Muhammad Said Pasha, the governor of Kordofan, intended to pursue Muhammad Ahmad, but Raouf Pasha prevented him and sent him to Aba Island to investigate the killing of the soldier. When Muhammad Ahmad settled in Jabal Qadir, he asked Rashid Bey, the governor of Qashoda, for permission to march on him. Raouf Pasha refused, but he went with four hundred soldiers. Before reaching the Mahdi's headquarters, the Mahdi gathered eight thousand men and attacked Rashid Bey, killing him and capturing his men, and slaughtering the rest. The government dismissed Raouf Pasha and appointed Abd al-Qadir Pasha. Before Abd al-Qadir Pasha arrived, the acting governor prepared an army led by Yusuf Pasha al-Salay. Muhammad Ahmad met him with an army of 15,000 men, defeated Yusuf Pasha, and killed him (May 29, 1883). When news of his victory spread, people feared him and began to migrate to him. The revolution extended to Sennar and its governor, Hussein Pasha Shukri, and from there towards the Blue Nile. On May 11, 1883, Abd al-Qadir Pasha arrived in Khartoum and began fortifying it.