Proclamation from the Mahdi to “all the Faithful” (1007268.b)
Proclamation from the Khalifah to the Egyptians (1007268.c)

Muhammad Ahmad (1844–85) was a Muslim Sufi scholar and self-proclaimed Mahdi (‘Right-Guided One’) who led a jihadist force against Ottoman rule in Sudan. Britain’s involvement in the Sudanese campaign began after its occupation of Egypt in 1882. In 1883 the Mahdi took Khartoum from the British-Egyptian forces, led by General Gordon who died in the assault. The Mahdi died (from typhus) only six months later and was buried in a large tomb in Omdurman, then the capital of Sudan, to be succeeded by Abdullah al-Taashi (1846–99), the Khalifah (‘successor’) of Muhammad Ahmad.

These proclamations, impressed with the seals of al-Mahdi and al-Khalifah, aimed to raise the people of Sudan to jihad (religious war). They were found amongst the Khalifah’s correspondence after the Battle of Omdurman and later presented to Queen Victoria.

Queen Victoria recorded the presentation of these in her journal: "After luncheon I saw Sir R. Wingate, who brought me some interesting relics viz: the Khalifa's seal and the very ink which had been used for its impression. It was contained in an old watch, & he showed me how the impression was made, — then 2 Proclamations, one which was of the last Mahdi, with his seal attached. All these were got, after the Battle of the Omdurman, from a Secretary of the Khalifa's, who surrendered himself & gave over to Sir R. Wingate all the important correspondence, & who he says is really a good man, — a flag of which had been given to some Arabs, & last, but not least, a sad memento of poor Hicks' unfortunate army; it is the Diary written in Arabic, by the Egyptian Officer, which ends the day before the Battle. I am to have the translation.” (Queen Victoria's Journal: Balmoral Castle, 5/9/99.

For the seal, see RCIN 71209; for the diary, see RCIN 1005008.