(Chapter) On the events and news that occurred during his reign, until the governorship of his son, Prince Ibrahim.

When the governorship was settled with Muhammad Ali Pasha, he began to manage affairs and work to strengthen his authority and consolidate his position by appeasing the soldiers and paying their arrears. He imposed a levy on the Copts of Egypt and divided it among their leaders, which was the first tax he introduced after his appointment. It was a very heavy one, and he sent agents to collect it, who were oppressive and committed many abuses. Then he arrested Al-Mu'allim Jirjis Al-Jawhari, the chief treasurer of Egypt at that time and the owner of its revenue, and a group of Coptic dignitaries, and imprisoned them in the house of the Khaznadar. He demanded from Al-Mu'allim Jirjis an accounting for the year 15 AH. He summoned Al-Mu'allim Ghali, who was then the scribe of the Alfi in Upper Egypt, and appointed him in his place. He made things difficult for Al-Mu'allim Jirjis, intensified the demand for the accounting, and imposed a large sum of money on him. He sold all his furniture and belongings and paid part of what he was asked for, but he was not released and remained imprisoned for days. The demands on the people of the country for what was imposed on them continued. The Egyptian emirs became envious of Muhammad Ali Pasha for his rising influence and widespread fame, and they harbored resentment towards him, belittling his status and plotting against him. He feared them and was concerned about the consequences of their actions. He focused on fighting them, intensified the demand for money, and the collection of taxes. He sent out tax collectors who scoured the country east and west, descended upon villages, and collected whatever they could. Then he began to manage the affairs of the army, paying the soldiers their arrears and allowances, and acquiring a large quantity of all weapons and war equipment. He sent to the leaders of the Egyptian emirs who were in the Upper and Lower provinces, inviting them to cease fighting and return to obedience to the Sultan. They made excessive demands, and he was unable to meet their demands. When they learned of his refusal, they descended with their cavalry and infantry to Giza, and imposed taxes and fines on its inhabitants. Those among their followers who were there joined them. A group of them went towards the slaughterhouse area, broke down the door of Al-Husayniya, and entered through Bab Al-Futuh with great clamor and noise, followed by drums, trumpets, camels, and mules. They marched from between the two palaces until they reached Al-Ashrafiya. The people were astonished by their entry into the city in this manner. They continued until they reached 'Atfat Al-Kharratin, where they divided into two groups. A group of them entered, carrying rifles and swords, and passed by Al-Azhar Mosque to the house of Sayyid Omar Al-Naqib and Sheikh Al-Sharqawi. Sayyid Omar refused to meet them, so they entered the house of Sheikh Al-Sharqawi. Sayyid Omar came to them, and they asked him for help and for the public to join them in fighting Muhammad Ali Pasha. He refused, but they insisted, and when he did not agree, they threatened him. They mounted their horses and left through Bab Al-Barqiyah. News of them had reached Muhammad Ali Pasha, so he sent Hassan Bey Al-Arnauti after them with a large number of infantry, but they did not catch up with them. As for the second group, they advanced until they reached Bab Zuwayla and proceeded a short distance.