The year 1884 was a year of great events in Sudan. The Mahdist revolt, which had been brewing for some time, finally erupted, and the Mahdi, Muhammad Ahmad, declared himself the Mahdi and began his campaign against the Egyptian government. The Mahdi's forces were initially successful, and they captured several important towns, including El Obeid. The Egyptian government, under the Khedive Tewfik, was unable to cope with the rebellion, and they appealed to the British for assistance. The British government, however, was reluctant to get involved in the conflict, and they did not send any troops to Sudan. The Mahdi's forces continued to advance, and they captured Khartoum in 1885. The Mahdi then declared himself the ruler of Sudan, and he ruled the country until his death in 1885. The Mahdist revolt had a profound impact on Sudan, and it led to a period of instability and conflict that lasted for many years.