'Note by the Aga Khan and M. A. Ali Baig on the situation in Egypt' [55r] (1/10)
The record is made up of 1 file (5 folios). It was created in 12 Jan 1915. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
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This document is the propcrli, of the Seeretarn of State for India in Conned. 3 (
SECRET.
Note by the Aga Khan and M. A. Ali Baig on the
Situation in Egypt.
(ij Au informal expression of onr views on some aspects of the political
situation in Kgypt, and a brief reference to our endeavours to remove the
uneasiness among some of His Majesty’s Moslem soldiers caused by the
machinations of Turco-German agents, and at the same time to assist
the British authorities in the formation of an atmosphere of mutual goodwill
and understanding between the representatives of the Imperial Government
and the Egyptians, may be of interest to the Marquess of Crewe and
Sir Edward Grey.
THE ATTITUDE OE THE EGYPTIAN PEOPLE.
(Lb In the course of our sojourn in Egypt from the PJth of December 1914
to the 12th of •January 191b, we travelled over a thousand miles and visited
Ismailia, Sue/, Port Said, Tanta, Alexandria, and also all the camps of the
Indian troops. Through the courtesy of the British
Agency
An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
we had
frequent opportunities of discussing Egyptian problems, especially in their
relation to the new order of things, with the leaders of all shades of political
thought, including the Prime Minister and lbs colleagues, the ex-Premier
Said
Pasha
An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders.
and some ex-Ministers, the leader of the Opposition, the President
of the Assembly, the members of His Highness the Sultan’s family, the
representatives of the middle classes and of the Press, the ecclesiastics, the
Ulemas and others. Our iirst impression, which still remains unchanged,
was that except for the evidences of considerable military activity lor the
defence of the country, there was no outward sign that the Egyptians were
in any way perturbed by the great W ar, which had drawn into its vortex
and ranged on opposite sides the British and the Ottoman Empires. The
historical Proclamation of 18th December 1914, which changed the political
destiny of Egypt, was received by the people with a feeling ol iclief. I he
long and chequered connection of Turkey with Egypt which was thus iinally
terminated, had at different times^ and in consequence of varying policies,
set in motion both cohesive and disruptive forces. I he lattei, owing chiefly
to misrule and lack of political insight and foresight on the part of Egypt’s
late Suzerain, had been acquiring an increasing ascendency when the British
occupation of the country in 1882 profoundly altered the whole aspect ol
Ecrypt’s future. We tried to find out whether the prosperity and progress
resulting from the British connection weighed heavier in the scale with tie
Egyptians, irrespectiye of the military strength of the occupying owei w nc i
ensured the people’s allegiance, against the bonds of a common creed
and to what extent, if any, the national sentiment of the Egyptians was
influenced by cognate Islamic ideals and affected by the lurkish espousal
of the German cause. In considering these points and the inter-reJation
of the various factors, which seem to govern the Egyptian situation, it must
be remembered that the population of Egypt, especially in the urban aieas,
which constitute the centres of political thought and activity, is not so
homogeneous as to be influenced in the same manner and to the same extent
by recent events.
) From a political point of view the population oi Kgypt, alter making
due allowance tor normal increase after the census of 190, may roughly
be divided in round numbers into 1 1,325,000 Moslem Egyptians ; , 9o,0 0
Coots- 75000 Turks and other Ottoman subjects; U><,0)0 Gieeks Italian,
and Frenchmen; 43,000 Jews; and 25,000 British subjects-making ar.
aggregate total of 12,400,000 souls.
>;>y.
A
About this item
- Content
The file contains the views of the Aga Khan (Sir Sultan Mohammed Shah), and M A Ali Baig on the political situation in Egypt, based on a series of interviews held during a visit to Ismailia [Al Ismā'īlīyah], Suez, Port Said [Būr Saʻīd], Tanta, Alexandria, and the camps of the Indian troops, from 19 December 1914 to 12 January 1915.
It is divided into the following sections:
- the attitude of the Egyptian people – regarding Britain, Turkey, and the First World War;
- the Moslem Egyptians;
- the Copts;
- the Greeks and other races;
- the Egyptian aristocracy;
- the aspirations of educated Egyptians;
- the Protectorate;
- the new Sultan;
- the Ministers and their Advisors;
- the Nationalists;
- the Egyptian press;
- the Caliphate;
- the Jehad Fetwa;
- the Effect of Earl Kitchener's policy;
- the Indian Troops;
- Conclusion.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (5 folios)
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 55, and terminates at f 59, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 55-59; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/18/B208
- Title
- 'Note by the Aga Khan and M. A. Ali Baig on the situation in Egypt'
- Pages
- 55r:59v
- Author
- Ali Baig, M A
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