Two developments in particular assume gigantic proportions and mark 1821 as a crucial year in the Pasha's career, namely the successful experimentation with the cultivation of long-staple cotton and the founding of a modern conscription-based army. While both these developments took place in the same year, there was no causal link between them. Nonetheless, from that time onwards very strong links existed between these two developments of the Pasha's policies which proved to be the cornerstones of his entire regime: through cotton cultivation, which grew exponentially in the 1820s, the Pasha managed to reap unprecedented profits from its sale, which he then monopolized and used to construct his army, build his navy, establish his factories and construct numerous schools, hospitals and palaces. … The army occupied central stage among the Pasha's numerous institutions and was the raison d'être of various other impressive institutions. For example, the many factories that were founded were intended mainly to produce commodities for the use of the army, which was their most important market. Similarly, most of the schools that were opened were aiming at graduating officers for the army. Likewise, the earliest modern hospitals to be built in Egypt were essentially military hospitals that were constructed near camps with high troop concentration.

Pays off: "Muhammad Ali's army forged the modern Egyptian nation through novel control practices."

Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed…, loc. 41