Why did many Sudanese people oppose the Turco-Egyptian government?

Many Sudanese people opposed the Turco-Egyptian government due to a combination of economic, social, and religious grievances that intensified over time.1

Key factors driving this opposition included:

• Fiscal Injustice: The administration imposed heavy taxes, often accompanied by frequent floggings for those who were late with payments.1
• Economic Disruption: Efforts to abolish the slave trade under pressure from European powers, particularly Great Britain, alienated powerful merchant groups whose livelihoods depended on the trade.21
• Religious Offense: The presence of non-Muslim European officials in the administration, their perceived addiction to alcohol, and the appointment of Christian officials caused deep resentment among the devout population.1
• Cultural Alienation: The ruling class, composed of a Turkish-speaking elite, remained starkly different from their Sudanese subjects in appearance, education, and way of life.1
• Forced Labor: Peasants living along the Nile were often compelled to perform labor, such as towing government ships.1
• Theological Heresy: Religious leaders viewed the government’s actions as a betrayal of Islam, leading many to support al-Mahdī in his mission to purify the faith and overthrow the regime.21