The Kordofan tribes, who had been in a state of revolt for some time, were now in open rebellion. The Sultan of Darfur, who had been their ally, now turned against them. The tribes, who had been accustomed to plunder and rapine, were now in a state of desperation. They had been driven to this extremity by the oppression of the government, and the cruelty of the Sultan. The Sultan, who had been their protector, now became their oppressor. The tribes, who had been their own masters, were now slaves.