The Mahdist War, which began in 1881, was a major turning point in Sudanese history. The Mahdi, Muhammad Ahmad, led a successful rebellion against the Egyptian-Ottoman rule, establishing a powerful Islamic state in Sudan. The Mahdist state lasted for over a decade, during which time it fought against various foreign powers, including the British. The Mahdist War ended in 1898 with the British victory at the Battle of Omdurman, which led to the re-establishment of Anglo-Egyptian rule in Sudan.