Khedivate of Egypt

The Khedivate of Egypt was an autonomous tributary state of the Ottoman Empire established and ruled by members of the dynasty of Muhammad Ali. Following the defeat and expulsion of Napoleon's forces from Egypt in 1801, Muhammad Ali and his successors had already ruled Ottoman Egypt with a significant degree of autonomy. In 1867, the Ottoman sultan granted Muhammad Ali's grandson, Isma'il Pasha (r. 1863–1879), the title of Khedive along with near-total autonomy over internal affairs, certain diplomatic privileges, and the order of succession. Isma'il and his successors continued the trend initiated by Muhammad Ali to reform and modernise the Egyptian state, following the example of European nations. Among the major projects of this era was the completion of the.