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Ottoman Rule (1517-1798) :
Although the Ottoman Turks were brilliant military strategists and
developed a rich Islamic civilization, they were poor colonial
administrators.
They ruled Egypt from Istanbul through Pashawat (plural of
Pasha) who were trained in Istanbul. Their direct involvement in
government rarely extended to more than enforcing tax collection.
Otherwise the Ottomans exercised minimal control over their new
province and relied on the Mamluke army whose ranks continued
to expand with mercenary slaves brought in from the Caucasus. This
lack of concern manifested in neglect and deterioration which opened
the way for the French invasion of Egypt in 1798.
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