Khartoum

Khartoum is the capital of the Sudan. The Sudan was formerly a region of Egypt and under Turkish control, though heavily influenced by Britain. In 1881 a religious zealot named Mohammed Ahmad declared himself to be the Mahdi, or Islamic Messiah, and led an uprising against the British. The Mahdist rebels captured the city of Khartoum in 1885, forcing the British from the region. Following Mohammed's death shorty afterwards, it became the capital of the new kingdom his successor, Abdallahi, who proclaimed himself Caliph (or "Khalifa"). The Khalifa's rule was unpopular and led to renewed conflict with the British, who eventually defeated and killed him and reimposed their rule over the Sudan.
==Canon references==
==="The Adventure of the Empty House"===
Sherlock Holmes recounts to John Watson that following his defeat of Professor Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls, he was forced to flee to escape his criminal network. During this period he traveled to Khartoum, where he had a "short but interesting" visit with the Khalifa, the contents of which he reported to the Foreign Office.
==="The Adventure of the Cardboard Box"===
Watson is revealed to have a framed portrait of Major-General Charles Gordon on his wall. Gordon was the Governor-General of the Sudan, and died defending Khartoum from the Mahdist forces.
Category:Africa
Category:Cities
Category:Locations: The Return of Sherlock Holmes