The year 1884 was a year of famine. The Mahdi, Muhammad Ahmad, was in power. He had gathered his followers and was preparing to march on Khartoum. The British, under General Gordon, were determined to defend the city. The siege of Khartoum began in March 1884 and lasted for ten months. During the siege, the city was subjected to constant bombardment and starvation. The people of Khartoum suffered greatly, but they held out hope that Gordon would be able to save them.