Darfur Sultanates and Caravan Links
Darfur's own chronology begins with western sultanates, not with Nile dynasties. Dajo, Tunjur, and Keira-Fur rule grew around Jebel Marra while caravan roads tied Darfur east to Kordofan and north to Egypt.
Key Events
Al-Fashir Established as Fur Capital
1790 CESultan Abd al-Rahman al-Rashid establishes his capital at Al-Fashir, and the town grows around the sultan's palace into...
Darfur Sultanate Conquered and Annexed
1874 CEForces led by al-Zubayr Rahma defeat the Fur Sultanate, and Darfur is annexed into Egypt's Sudan administration during t...
Keira Fur Sultanate Consolidates in Darfur
1640 CEThe Keira dynasty consolidates Fur rule across Darfur from the Marrah highlands, creating an independent western sultana...
Darb al-Arba'in Links Darfur to the Nile
1750 CEThe Forty Days Road from Darfur to Upper Egypt becomes one of the main commercial arteries binding western Sudan to the...
Muhammad Ali's Invasion
1820 CEMuhammad Ali Pasha sends sons Ismail and Ibrahim to conquer Sudan; seeks gold and to control slave trade
Foundation of Khartoum
1821 CEKhartoum founded at confluence of Blue and White Niles; becomes administrative capital and military garrison
Administrative System Imposed
1825 CEEgyptian administrative system established; heavy taxation and forced labor; Turkish-speaking officials (hence 'Turkiyya...
Suez Canal Opens
1869 CESuez Canal opens; Sudan's strategic and economic importance to Egypt increases dramatically