KITCHENER'S RECONQUEST OF SUDAN

With rival European imperial powers vying for influence in North Africa, Britain set about crushing the Mahdist forces once and for all

Two Anglo-Egyptian expeditions were launched against the Mahdist leader Osman Digna near Suakin. The first, led by Sir Gerald Graham, began in February 1884 and saw the First and Second Battles of El Teb and the Battle of Tamai. The expedition failed to deal with the threat posed by Digna and so Graham launched a second in January 1885. This second expedition also saw several engagements, including those at Hashin and Tofrek. The British inflicted a heavy defeat on Digna, but he would return to face the British once again.

Following the withdrawal of Garnet Wolseley from Sudan, the British Government was reluctant to avenge General Charles Gordon's death and a long period of relative inactivity followed. When the Mahdi died, he was succeeded by Abdallahi ibn Muhammad, who became known as the Khalifa. Although he lacked the charisma of the Mahdi, the Khalifa continued his predecessor's cause. There would be several other clashes in the late 1880s and early 1890s, but it was only a matter of time before the British and the Mahdists would see their ultimate showdown.