Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-03-12

The Life of the uehdi.


the case of the mehdi of the Soudan. /
Mr.. Wilfrid Blunt was the first to |
foresee and foretell the danger 10 be
incurred in the existing state OF affairs |
in equatorial Africa from the advent Of |
this visionary. 1t happened that the |
native mind had become in measure, |
prepared for the appearance of mes
siah, or prophet, who, according to |
tradition, had been foretold BY Mo- |
manned himself as likely to appear
about the year 1900 of tAe Hegira The |
turn of the century, according to this |
calendar, happened about three years
ago, almost simultaneously with the APP |
pearance of the new savior of Islam. |
As Mr.. Blunt has pointed out. the con-
dition of the natives in the Soudan and |
the wide region nominally under the |
sway Of the pashas had become intoler- |
able from oppression, and they were
ripe for revolt Along with this, ex-
traordinary success hadfor some years
attended the spread Of the Moham-
medan creed in centIal Africa, and
high authorities estimate tue number
of converts at from eight to twelve mill |
lions. One writer remarks; The |
idea of the regeneration of Islam by
force of arms has gained strong hold
over the enthusiasm of these new con-
verts, and on the appearance of the
false prophet in August, 1881, thous- |
ands flocked to his Standard
The mehdi had thus an enormous adj |
vantage over all rival pretenders, and
quickly oyershadowed all others, who
have long since sunk back into their
original obscurity. Like most Of them.
Mohammed Ahmed for such is the
mehdi's real name-was of origin
obscure but traceable Ii is to the un-
fortunate Col. Stewart, another victim
OF Arab treachery, that we are indebted
Tor most OF our knowledge of the pro-
phets early days, for when the gallant
colonel visited Ell Obeid, nearly three
years ago, the impostor was only be-
ginning to rally round him ragged
following, and to make some noise in
the country. From what could then be
gathered about him, Col. Stewart in
forms us that the mehdi was the son of
a carpenter and a native of Dongola |
In 1852 the father migrated to Shendy,
the town on the Nile on the bank op-
poste Metemneh, his family consisted
OF three sons and one daughter, and
here fourth son was born 10 him.
While Il boy the future prophet was APP
prenticed to boat builder, but after
receiving beating from his uncle one
day, he fled to Khartoum, where lie en-
tered free school kept by delvish of
great sanctity and an alleged descend
ant of the founder of Islamism.
Here says Col Stewart, che re-
manned for some time studying religion,
the tenets of his sheik, ETC., but did not
make much progressin the more world
" accomplishment of reading and
writing His religious education was
completed at another school to which
he afterward wen, near Berber.
Thence he settled in village south of
Kama and enrolled himself as disciple
of fakir or holy nan delighting in
the name of Nur-el-Daim. Having re-
ceiyed from this worthy the distinction
OF sbeik, Mohammed Ahmed took up
his abode on The island of Abba, near
Kama, on the White Nile Here"
added Col. Stewett, she began by
making subtefranean excavation
| (khaliva-retreat) into which he made
a practice Of retiring to repeat for
hours one of the names of the Deity,
this being accompanied by fasting, in-
cense- burning, and prayers. His fame
and sanctity by degrees spread far and
wide, and Mohammed Ahmed became
wealthy, collected disciples, and mar
ried several wives, all of whom he was
careful to select from among the
| daughters of the most influential
Baggara sheiks (Baggara tribes own
ing cattle and horses) and other not
ables. To keep within the legalized
number (four) he was in the habit of
divorcing the surplus and taking them
on again according to his fancy" In
these marital responsibilities be was
only surpassed by ais secretary or fac
totum, who espoused no fewer than
twenty-four ladies Of the neighborhood
But the mehdi's time was not wholly
occupied with the attractions OF the
| harem. The increase of his influence
| only melted him to fresh efforts Grad
ualiy he acquired great reputation for
holiness, and by and by assembled
! number of other dervishes around him.
and by his powers and tact succeeded
in uniting the various tribes under his
ings are described as "uniyersal equal
| ity, universal law and religion, with
community of goods. All who refuse
to credit his mission are to be DIES.
troyed, whether Christian, Moham-
medan, or pagan
1t was not until the end of 1881 that
Raouf Pasha, the then governor of the
Soudan, had his attention directed 10
the mehdi's pretensions. The latter at
this time was living at Merabieh, near
the island of Abba. In August, as al
ready stated he publicly proclaimed
his mission during the feast of Ram
adam, and some small parties of troops
were sent against him, but failed to
catch him. 1t is more than probable
that their sympathies were with him
Col Stewart certainly held doubts on
the subject. The mehd soon after
ward showed himself ut the head of his
followers near SEMINAR. finally taking
up position at Jebal Gadir, about $50
miles northwest Of Kaka, on the White
Nile. Here he was attacted by body
of regulars under Reschid Rev, who
was defeated with heavy loss This
success inspired the prophet and his al
herents with fresh courage and ambi-
ton. Their ranks rapidly increased.
and early in the following spring the
whole province of Kordofan was threat
ened Raouf Pasha having been re-
called, Abd-el-Kader was appointed to
the command of Khartoum, and more
strenuous attempt was made to suppress
the new fanatical rising whose spread
began seriously to alarm the Egyptians.
In April about 3, 900 men We're collected
in the neighborhood of Kaka, ut the
cost of reducing the neighboring gar
rlsons. Taking advantage OF this .sthe
rebels, as the mehdi's followers BEGAN
to be called, attacked SEMINAR, bus
after some minor successes they were
dispersed by Giegler Pasha They were
not, however, disheartened, and at
length, when they again met the Egyp-
tians face to face, on the 9Th Of June, |
1852, they obtained n signal victory.
The Egyptians came upon the rebels in |
denseiy wooded country; zereba or |
stockade was commenced. the troops
were formed MP in hollow square, bit
they were unable to withstand the fur
lous onslaught of the Arab host. inspired /
by religious zeal Once the square was
broken oil discipline was lost. and the T
whole force was simply annihilated.
Naturally an extraordinary impetus
was thus given to the insurrection, and
many minor engagements took place.
resulting generally in favor OF the meh- I
Oh. AT Shakka. for instance. on June /