114 The Sudan annexed.

found that the Governor of the province had the title of Magdum, which is a title onlj given to Palace eunuchs. It would appear that it was the custom of the Darfur Sultans to send eunuchs to govern provinces and districts.

1822. In 1822 Osman Bey was named Governor of the Sudan, and the Defterdar, Ahmed Bey, returned to Egypt. This was a year of rebellions and famines.

1824. In 1824 Mokhu Bey was appointed Governor.

1826. In 1826 Khurshid Pasha became Governor. He is renowned for his rectitude and honesty. He led some expeditions up the White Nile against the Dinka negro tribe, opposite Fashoda, and also into the mountains of 1834. Tagalle. In 1834 he went to Egypt for a few months. Towards the end of that year he went to the Abyssinian frontier to repel the attack of the Abyssinians, who were coming to the assistance of the Sennar rebels. The Abyssinians were defeated, and Adlan, their leader, was taken and impaled. During this year cholera and other diseases ravaged the country. In 1836 the Abyssinians, after attacking the Gallabat provinces, retreated into their mountains.

Khurshid Pasha was the first Governor who taught the people of Khartum to build with bricks, and to give up 1837. their huts made of skins and reeds. In 1837 he was recalled to Egypt, and was succeeded by Achmet Pasha Abu Udan (Father of Large Ears) * The annexation of the Sudan provinces thus took place more than three-quarters of a century ago. Mehemet Ali, having dispersed the Mamelukes, and made himself master of Nubia, turned his attention towards the districts bordering the White and the Blue branches of the Nile. Gold was doubtless his main object, for he had heard rumours of mines of vast wealth; but we must also give him credit for an honest intention to introduce commerce and civilisation into the midst of the negro tribes.

Expedition In the autumn of 1838, Mehemet Ali himself started to Si, iM8?

et visi* Fazokl, and in 1840 and following years three large expeditions were organised. Although gold was not found in any important quantities, the provinces were reduced under Egyptian sway, the navigation of the White Nile was declared free, military stations were * For subsequent Governor-Generals, v. Col. Stewart's Keport, p. 5.