The arrival of the Mahdi in Khartoum was a momentous event. The city, which had been under siege for some time, was now facing a new and formidable threat. The Mahdi, a charismatic leader who had united many of the tribes of Sudan, was seen by his followers as a divinely appointed figure destined to overthrow the foreign occupation and establish a just Islamic state. His forces, composed of fierce warriors from various Baggara tribes, were known for their bravery and their unwavering loyalty to their leader. The people of Khartoum, both Muslim and Christian, watched with a mixture of fear and anticipation as the Mahdi's army approached the city walls. The fate of Khartoum, and indeed of Sudan itself, hung in the balance.