Short Essay on the Napoleon’s Invasion of Egypt

Napoleon launched a campaign against Egypt on 19th May 1798. He was accompanied by several efficient commanders such as Marmont, Klaber, Lannes, Murat, Desaix and Birthier.

On his way to Egypt, he conquered Malta and Alexandria and achieved a marvelous victory in the battle of Pyramids.

He defeated the Egyptian army and entered Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Egypt was a Mohammedan country.

It was easy to conquer it but it was very difficult to maintain authority over it, and hence in order to please the followers of Islam, Napoleon declared him self to be a devotee of the Prophet and paid his homage to Holy Quran. In fact he had no faith in Islam. It was his diplomatic trick as he declared later on:

“I was Mohammedan in Egypt, I shall be Catholic here (France) for the good of the people.”

During his stay in Egypt he constructed a mosque there and warned his soldiers neither to dishonour the women nor to disregard Islam. Nelson, the British Naval Commander, was chasing the French fleet and reached Alexandria.

On 1st August 1798, Nelson got an opportunity to destroy the French fleet in the bay of Abukar in the battle of Nile.

Thus he was completely cut off from France. At the same time Turkey declared war against France but Napoleon did not lose courage and addressed his soldiers thus:

“We must raise our heads above the floods of the tempest and the flood will be tamed. We are perhaps destined to change the face of the East.”

Causes of Napoleon’s Failure in Egypt

1. It was difficult to maintain authority over Egypt without conquering Sudan.

2. The French army had to face severe problems to reach Syria via Egypt. This was not taken into account before this invasion.

3. The Mohammedans of Egypt remained dissatisfied with the religious policy of Napoleon in spite of his liberal attitude.

4. The battle of Nile proved a setback to Napoleon and he was cut off from France.

Cultural Importance of Egypt’s Invasion

Napoleon had carried with him a great number of painters, engineers, astrologers, poets, scientists and physicians which numbered about 175 in all. Through them Napoleon got searched the monuments of Egypt and on its basis a book entitled.

The Description of Egypt was written. He introduced a new system of administration in Egypt which was so far unknown to the Egyptians.

The physicians of Europe learnt much about the cure of diseases during their stay in Egypt. Thus the ancient country established cultural relations with Europe.