Khedive Muhammad Tawfiq (born November 15, 1852 – died January 7, 1892) was the sixth ruler of Egypt from a summary. He is the eldest son of Khedive Ismail, who was born in Cairo on November 15, 1852

He assumed power in 1879 (1296 AH), after the British and French forced his father, Khedive Ismail, to leave his position. This was when he tried to make up for what he had missed, and after he drowned the country in huge foreign debts that paved the way for the Europeans to interfere in the country’s affairs. Ismail tried to confront foreign influence, so they forced him. To leave his position to his eldest son, Tawfiq.

Among the most important events that occurred during his reign: Selling a share of the Suez Canal to Egypt and taking the share. Egypt lost its remaining ownership of the Suez Canal, as the share had been mortgaged to the Germans and the French since the time of his father, Khedive Ismail.

Several other dangerous events occurred as a result of his following the policy of complete loyalty to the English and absolute tyranny over the Egyptians. Thus, he became the worst ruler in the modern history of Egypt. This policy led to the resignation of the National Ministry represented by Sherif Pasha and the appointment of a pro-English ministry headed by the Armenian Christian Nubar Pasha. Another Christian, this pro-foreigner ministry worked to increase foreign intervention in the country under the guise of paying debts, and Riad Pasha’s ministry proceeded to sell Egypt’s share in the Suez Canal to England.

The late 19th century saw the emergence of nationalist movements in Egypt, driven by a desire for independence from foreign influence. Tawfiq Pasha, recognizing the aspirations of his people, took steps to promote Egyptian nationalism. However, his efforts were often constrained by the geopolitical realities of the time.

Khedive Muhammad Tawfiq’s reign left a lasting impact on Egypt’s trajectory. His pragmatic approach to governance, economic reforms, and efforts to navigate the challenges of foreign influence set the stage for the evolving political landscape in the early 20th century.

In 1892, Tawfiq Pasha passed away, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be studied and debated by historians. His reign is remembered as a pivotal period in Egyptian history, characterized by both progress and the complexities of a nation at the crossroads of tradition and modernity.