4 - Master in his own house

Summary

From the early days of his arrival in Egypt, Muhammad Ali had been struck by the potential riches of Egypt. A country that had been devastated by terrible plagues, by famine when people resorted to anthropophagy, by bad harvests, by seven years of warfare should by rights have been utterly destitute and devoid of all resources. The past disasters and the exploitation of two conquering armies not withstanding, Egypt continued to provide grain, and to show flashes of potential affluence. Above all the country showed the signs of a continuous and cyclical revitalization with its usually lush harvests, its rich brown earth and its hard-working, uncomplaining peasantry. Trade and commerce were two things that Muhammad Ali understood well. Egypt had the potential for trade and sat astride a network of commercial routes that functioned in spite of all opposition to the orderly pursuit of commerce and all disruptions. Coming from the harsher soil of Kavala, where every square inch of land was lovingly tended and nurtured to eke out a living, the young officer was entranced by the soil of Egypt where everything grew in abundance and with ease. In his mind's eye the future ruler of Egypt had possibilities of a lush future for the country, a future based on agriculture and commerce.