When did the Revolt of Cairo take place?
The Revolt of Cairo took place on the 21st and the 22nd of October 1798. It was an uprising by Cairo's inhabitants against the French occupation during Napoleon's Egyptian campaign.
Questions about Revolt of Cairo
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who was killed during the Revolt of Cairo?
French commander Dominique Dupuy was killed during the revolt, as was Józef Sulkowski, Napoleon's aide-de-camp. Between five thousand and six thousand Egyptians were dead or wounded by the time the uprising was suppressed.
What role did Al-Azhar Mosque play in the Revolt of Cairo?
Al-Azhar Mosque was one of the primary strongpoints fortified by the rebels at the start of the uprising. Napoleon later drove the remaining resisters into the mosque, ordered cannon fire on it, then stormed and massacred those inside.
How did Napoleon suppress the Revolt of Cairo?
Napoleon positioned cannons in the Citadel and fired on rebel-held areas, then sent soldiers through the city overnight to destroy barricades. He personally hunted rebels street to street, forcing them into Al-Azhar Mosque before ordering it stormed.
What were the consequences of the Revolt of Cairo for the city?
After the revolt, several sheikhs and influential figures were executed for organizing the uprising. Napoleon imposed a heavy tax on Cairo, dissolved its divan, and replaced it with a military commission.
Why was the French position in Egypt already fragile during the Revolt of Cairo?
At the time of the revolt, the British were threatening French control of Egypt following their victory at the Battle of the Nile. Murad Bey's forces remained active in Upper Egypt, and generals Menou and Dugua were struggling to maintain control of Lower Egypt.