In 1795, the School of Living Oriental Languages was established in Paris. When Napoleon invaded Egypt a few years later, he was able to take with him Orientalists whose knowledge could be put to use for colonial purposes. Napoleon's invasion of Egypt in 1798 stands out as the first instance when knowledge about the native people became central to a colonizing mission.

XREF: Connects to wider critiques of orientalism and how academic knowledge has historically served imperial power.

Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politi…, loc. 105