A big revolt erupted in Upper Egypt against the Pasha's conscription and tax policies. Over 30,000 men and women joined this rebellion which was headed by a certain Shaykh Raḍwān who claimed himself to be the mahdi and declared Mehmed Ali to be an infidel.

Builds on: "Resistance to modernizing troops could take covert violent forms."

Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed…, loc. 460