What is khedivate?

The Khedivate was a political entity in Egypt that existed from 1867 to 1914. It was created by the Ottoman Empire, which had ruled Egypt since the early 16th century. The Khedivate was governed by a viceroy known as the khedive, who was appointed by the Ottoman Sultan.

The Khedivate was a semi-autonomous state within the Ottoman Empire. It had its own government, army, and legal system, but it remained under Ottoman suzerainty. The khedive had a significant amount of power, but he still had to answer to the Ottoman authorities.

During the Khedivate period, Egypt underwent significant modernization and reforms. The government invested heavily in infrastructure, such as irrigation systems, railways, and telegraph lines. The economy also grew, with cotton becoming the country's most important export.

The Khedivate was also marked by political instability and popular uprisings. There were frequent clashes between the ruling class and the peasantry, who felt oppressed by the government's policies. The British, who had significant economic interests in Egypt, also became involved in the country's politics, often supporting the khedive against popular movements.

In 1914, the Khedivate was abolished following the outbreak of World War I. Egypt became a British protectorate, and the last khedive, Abbas II, was forced to abdicate.