Page 77 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

the fortifications of every town and village in Najd, because they feared that
these fortifications might serve as future strongholds or rallying points for a
possible Su‘udl insurrection.540
Although the main purpose of the invasion of Najd was to put an end to
SifudI power, the pasha, apparently elated with his own achievements,
decided to establish his own rule over the region. Through ceaseless military
attacks on the remaining tribes and remote towns on the one hand, and
through the support of regional factions on the other, the pasha’s rule acquired
a temporary hold. Nonetheless, the Egyptian policy towards the conquered
people did not promise the preservation of such a regime. The officers who
were entrusted with governing the country on the pasha’s behalf looked down
on its inhabitants, treating them with aggression and cruelty.541 Such
treatment injured the pride of the people of Najd and inflamed their hatred and
contempt, leading them to resolve to undermine Egyptian rule.542 This
sentiment seems to have helped Muhammad b. Mu‘ammar and Mushari b.
Su‘ud to begin the process of creating local rule in al-Riyad and its environs.
However, it was not until Turk! b. ‘Abd Allah came to the foreground that the
plan to overthrow the Egyptian regime was put into full operation.543
Turk! was a member of the Su‘udi family who had escaped from al-Dir‘Iyah
when it fell to the invaders in 1818; he sought refuge in the tribal territory of
southern Najd,544 and possibly wandered later on the frontiers of al-‘Iraq.545
Hearing news of the injustices perpetrated by the Egyptian military officers in
Najd, Turk! conceived the idea of re-establishing the Su‘udi dynasty and
hurried to the district of al-‘Arid, the site of the conflict.546 There he gathered
supporters and carried out quick and sudden attacks on the Egyptian
outposts.547 The garrisons in al-Dir‘Iyah’s neighbourhood were overpowered,
and the Egyptian military governor was forced to withdraw from the area.548
Turk! was soon proclaimed the amir of Najd and restorer of the Su‘udi
government with al-Riyad as a capital.549 He began to arrange his
administration, started to build castles and a new mosque, and prepared
further designs to gain more strength. But while he was thus occupied,
Muhammad ‘All ordered his officers in Makkah and al-Madinah to conduct a
joint expedition against the Su‘udi amir.550 Unable to resist the well-organized
and fully-equipped troops, Turkl deemed it prudent to evacuate al-Riyad and,
together with the main body of his adherents, sought a temporary refuge in the
southern wilds around al-Hariq.551 After occupying al-Riyad, Husayn Bey,
the commander of the Egyptian army, entrusted the town to a strong Egyptian
garrison and headed for other localities to collect taxes and direct punitive
expeditions against neighbouring areas.552 A year later, Husayn Bey was
ordered back to Egypt, but a number of garrisons were left behind in some
important towns in Najd.553
Not very long afterwards, Turkl besieged al-Riyad until the garrison gave
in. The commander, Abu ‘All al-Bahlul al-Maghribl, asked for safe conduct
for himself and his soldiers.554 Turkl agreed, but only under the condition that
they leave the district of Najd.555 Turki’s re-entry into al-Riyad marked the
beginning of a reign which was to last for approximately a decade.
Although the Egyptians by now had completely withdrawn from Najd, their
rule was still well-established in al-Hijaz. There they had adequate human and
material resources which could be employed against the reviving Su‘udi state.
Even so, there were no attempts on the part of the Egyptians to reduce the

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