The 'Urābī Revolution of 1881–2, in addition to being a revolution by various sectors of the urban and rural population against European dual control, was also a revolt of these estranged Arabic-speaking fellah officers against their Turkish-speaking superiors. This domination was represented most clearly by the system, initially put down fifty years earlier by Mehmed Ali and Ibrahim Pasha, whereby only Turkish-speaking officers were allowed to be promoted to high ranks in the army as well as in the civilian bureaucracy.

Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed…, loc. 1306