Muhammad Ali

Definition

An Ottoman Albanian commander who became Wāli, or governor, ruling Egypt from 1805 until his death in 1848. He is often seen as the founder of modern Egypt because of his military conquests and domestic reforms.

Related terms

Ottoman Empire: A state that lasted from 1299 to 1922. It was centered in Turkey and controlled much of Southeast Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.

Modernization Theory: A theory used to explain the process of modernization within societies, referring to a model of progressive transition from pre-modern or traditional society to modern society.

Agrarian Reform: The redistribution of agricultural land with an aim to increase agricultural productivity - a key policy implemented by Muhammad Ali in Egypt.