The history of Sudan Muhammad Ahmad al-Mahdi, who was born in Dongola and studied religious sciences in Khartoum, settled with his followers, the carpenters, on Aba Island as his disciples and followers. He then openly declared his Mahdist call and urged people to rise with him in 1881 to support religion and jihad in the path of God, as many did. When his news reached Raouf Pasha, the Governor-General of Sudan, he sent him a letter about his publications and claims. He replied that he was the awaited Mahdi. So, one of his aides, Ahmad al-Saud, went to him, entered his room, and asked him about his call. He replied: "I am the Mahdi, I am the one in charge." Ahmad al-Saud returned to Raouf Pasha and told him the story of Muhammad Ahmad. So, he sent with him two officers to arrest him. Muhammad Ahmad had gathered his followers, and when the soldiers descended upon them, they attacked them with their men. The Mahdi feared the consequences and fled from his place to Jabal Qadru. Then, Muhammad Said Pasha, the Governor of Kordofan, pursued Muhammad Ahmad, but Raouf Pasha prevented him and sent him to Aba Island to avoid the killing of soldiers. When Muhammad Ahmad settled on Jabal Qadru, he asked Rashid Bey, the commander of the forces, to march against him, but Raouf Pasha refused. However, he went with 400 soldiers. Before reaching the Mahdi's headquarters, he was attacked by 4,000 men. He killed Rashid Bey and captured his group, and destroyed the rest. The government dismissed Raouf Pasha and appointed Abd al-Qadir Pasha. Before Abd al-Qadir Pasha arrived, Jibril Jakkār, the acting commander of the forces, led by Yusuf Pasha al-Sallāmi, met Muhammad Ahmad with his 10,000 men. They attacked Yusuf Pasha and killed him. When the news of his victory spread, people feared him and began to flock to him (May 28, 1881). The revolution spread to the White Nile, led by Hussein Pasha Shukri, and then from there to the Blue Nile. Abd al-Qadir Pasha arrived in Khartoum and began to fortify it (May 1881).