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What Egypt looked like at the Turn of the 20th Century

At the turn of the 20th century, Egypt was a British Protectorate. Egypt was administered by the British and the French, and the Egyptians had very little say in the matter. The dual-control system was intended to oversee the Egyptian economy so that the Europeans could make sure that its debt was paid. The Europeans repeatedly promised to leave Egypt once affairs were in order, but the promises were never kept.

In 1906 a group of British soldiers decided to use a small village in the delta called Denshawai as a forum for engaging in pigeon shooting. Villagers raised pigeons for sale and depended on the profits for their livelihood. Previously, the soldiers had done this sort of thing many times, so the villagers attacked them with sticks when they returned. However, one of the British soldiers died of heatstroke after running back to camp to tell his officer what had happened. Four of the villagers were hanged, two were sentenced to life in prison, and most of the rest were forced to be flogged in public in front of their entire village. In villages across Egypt, there was an outcry against the occupation. Liberals governed the British Parliament, and they allowed the creation of an Egyptian parliament elected by the people. Many parliamentarians opposed the occupation, and they started calling for a British withdrawal from Egypt, which was now twenty years overdue. This Incident prompted many neutral Egyptians to join the nationalist movement.

In 1908 Prince Yusuf Kamal founded Egypt’s first school of fine arts initiating the region’s first contemporary art movement. Several other schools and institutions were also opened, focusing on academic, Renaissance-based training; the Orientalist. The British occupation of Egypt ended with Hussein Kamel’s installation as sultan in 1914, but the British military presence there persisted until 1956.

Here are some stunning historical photos that will take you back to Egypt in the early 1900s.

#2 Church of the Transfiguration and the mosque [Monastery of St. Catherine], Egypt, 1900, Egypt

#4 Bitter spring in Wady Taiybeh, Egypt, 1900.

Bitter spring in Wady Taiybeh, Egypt, 1900.

#6 Near view of one of the Springs of Moses, Egypt, 1900.

#7 Well at el-Buweib, Egypt, 1900.

Well at el-Buweib, Egypt, 1900.

#8 Greek inscriptions in Wady Mokattab, Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

#11 Suez Canal at the Gulf of Suez, 1900

Suez Canal at the Gulf of Suez, 1900

#14 Italian workers engaged in the embankment construction of the Aswan Dam, Egypt, 1902

Italian workers engaged in the embankment construction of the Aswan Dam, Egypt, 1902

#15 Italian workers in granite quarries during the construction of the Aswan Dam, Egypt, 1902

#16 C. Rhodes, L. Starr Jameson and C. Metcalfe, 1902

#17 The facade of the Graeco-Roman Museum of Alexandria in Egypt, 1902

The facade of the Graeco-Roman Museum of Alexandria in Egypt, 1902

#18 The Aswan Dam, which was built with the contribution of Italian labour, Egypt, 1901

#19 Laying the last stone of the Aswan water reservoir, Lord Cromer receiving the Khedive Abbas Hilmi II and the Duke of Connaught, Egypt, 1903

#20 Inauguration of the Aswan water reservoir Egypt, 1903

#21 Construction of the Aswan Dam with the contribution of Italian labour, Egypt, 1908

Construction of the Aswan Dam with the contribution of Italian labour, Egypt, 1908

#22 Inauguration of the Umberto I hospital in Cairo, Egypt, 1903

#23 Construction of the Aswan Dam with the contribution of Italian labour, Egypt, from L’Illustrazione Italiana, 1908

#24 City of the Dead, Cairo, 1900s

City of the Dead, Cairo, 1900s

#26 South face of Turkish fort on top of Hagag el Sollum, Egypt, 1907.

#27 Water tower in Faiyum Oasis, filtration system for Nile water, 1900s

Water tower in Faiyum Oasis, filtration system for Nile water, 1900s

#28 Necropolis of tebe, deir el-medina, the site of the discovery of the tomb of Kha and his wife Merit, 1906

#29 Necropolis of tebe, deir el-medina, the site of the discovery of the tomb of Kha and his wife Merit, furnishings funeral, 1906

#30 National Bank of Egypt at Khartoum, 1906

National Bank of Egypt at Khartoum, 1906

Exterior view of the fa ade of the National Bank of Egypt in Khartoum. The two-storey building, built in 1901, features a colonnaded verandah and a walled garden.

#31 Karnak: Gate of Khonsu, 1903

Karnak: Gate of Khonsu, 1903

#32 Archduke of Austria-EsteCrown Prince of Austria-HungaryWith baron Rummerskirch at the ascent of a pyramid in Gizeh- 1903

#34 Embankment work, shortly before the Aswan dam was completed.

Embankment work, shortly before the Aswan dam was completed.

#35 The Aswan Dam at the Start of the Century, 1902

The Aswan Dam at the Start of the Century, 1902

The Aswan Dam (Built Between 1898 And 1902), An English Colonist, A Young Egyptian Man And The Nile Valley Pictured Around 1902-1920. The Dam is made of Granite Blocks coming from the Quarries of Aswan, which were used during the Construction of The Pyramids. It Is Over 2Km Long And 50M High.

#36 Several men and women stand around a large stone sarcophagus, still in the rock quarry near Aswan, where it was left unfinished thousands of years ago, 1900

#37 A large group of Egyptian people gather together for the Feast of Bairam near the city of Aswan, 1900

A large group of Egyptian people gather together for the Feast of Bairam near the city of Aswan, 1900

#40 Temple of Horus, Edfu. Entrance to temple 1900, Egypt,

#41 Statues of kings behind 8th pylon, Egypt, 1900.

Statues of kings behind 8th pylon, Egypt, 1900.

#42 Temple of Hathor, Dendera, Great vestibule, Dandara, 1900

#43 Kasr En-Nil, bridge over the Nile, Cairo, Egypt, 1900.

#44 Statues of kings behind 8th pylon, Karnak, Egypt, 1900.

Statues of kings behind 8th pylon, Karnak, Egypt, 1900.

#45 The pyramids of Gizeh. Caravan of Bedouins arriving at pyramid 1900, Egypt.

#46 Village near the pyramids of Gizeh, Jizah, Egypt, 1900.

#47 Temple hypetre (cote ouest) a Philoe

Temple hypetre (cote ouest) a Philoe

#49 Inner view of the East side of the Second Court at the Palace of Rhamses Meiamoun, 1900s

#51 Dahabiehs, Cairo, 1900s

Dahabiehs, Cairo, 1900s

#52 The Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu, Thebes, 1900s

#54 Temple of Ouadi Esseboua.

Temple of Ouadi Esseboua.

#55 Medinet Habu. View taken from the entrance of the Palace of Ramses Meiamoun

#57 The Pyramids of Giza from the Southwest.

The Pyramids of Giza from the Southwest.

#61 Water carriers collected by the Nile.

Water carriers collected by the Nile.

#64 Young Arab dancers in Cairo.

Young Arab dancers in Cairo.

#67 Tea seller in Cairo

Tea seller in Cairo

#71 The ritual of tea in Cairo.

The ritual of tea in Cairo.

#74 The Great Pyramid and Sphinx at Giza, Egypt.

The Great Pyramid and Sphinx at Giza, Egypt.

#77 View looking down the Nile, Cairo, 1900

View looking down the Nile, Cairo, 1900

#78 Egyptian characters, etc. Women carrying fuel, 1900s

#80 The Nilometer on Elephantine Island, Egypt, 1900s

#81 The harbor of Alexandria 1900, Egypt.

The harbor of Alexandria 1900, Egypt.

#83 Statue of de Lesseps at entrance to Suez Canal, 1900

#84 Statue of de Lesseps at entrance to Suez Canal, 1900

Statue of de Lesseps at entrance to Suez Canal, 1900

#85 Port Said harbor and entrance of Suez Canal, 1900

#87 Egypt Alexandria Occupations Vendor, 1900

Egypt Alexandria Occupations Vendor, 1900

#88 Victorian/Edwardian.Social History. An expidition in Cairo boys carrying their beds from base camp, 1900s

#89 Mausoleum of Sultan Al Zaher Barquq and sons at the complex of Al Nasr Farag Ibn Barquq complex located at the city of the dead, Cairo, Egypt.

#90 The avenue of the Spinxes,the Pylon of Yemple Ammon,Karnak, Egypt.

#91 An expidition in Cairo boys carrying their beds from base camp, 1900

An expidition in Cairo boys carrying their beds from base camp, 1900

#92 Mausoleum of Sultan Al Zaher Barquq and sons at the complex of Al Nasr Farag Ibn Barquq complex located at the city of the dead, Cairo, Egypt.

#93 The Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu is an important New Kingdom period structure in the West Bank of Luxor in Egypt, 1900

#94 The Sphinx of Memphis is a stone sphinx located near the remains of Memphis, Egypt, 1900

The Sphinx of Memphis is a stone sphinx located near the remains of Memphis, Egypt, 1900

#95 Avenue of sphinxes in front of 1st pylon, Karnak, Egypt, 1900

#97 The barrage. Near view of the barrage from the E. 1900

The barrage. Near view of the barrage from the E. 1900

#99 Cattle at a watering place, Memphis, Egypt, 1900.

#101 Temple of Rameses, Abydos, Egypt, 1900

Temple of Rameses, Abydos, Egypt, 1900

#102 Assuan Dam, general view looking W.S.W, Egypt, 1900.

#104 Entrance to Temple of Nektanebos, Medinet Habu, Egypt, 1900.

Entrance to Temple of Nektanebos, Medinet Habu, Egypt, 1900.

#105 Looking across the Nile from Assuan, showing Elephantine Island, Egypt, 1900.

#106 The pyramids of Gizeh. Site of ancient Memphis, 1900.

#107 Typical village, Egypt, 1900.

Typical village, Egypt, 1900.

#108 Statues of kings behind 8th pylon, Karnak, Egypt, 1900.

#110 Interior of Mosque of Mohammed ‘Ali Pasha, in Cairo, 1900.

#111 Primitive way of irrigating, Eygpt, 1900

Primitive way of irrigating, Eygpt, 1900

#112 Great hypostyle hall of Temple of Sobk and Horoeris, Egypt, 1900.

#113 The pyramids of Gizeh. Summit of the Great Pyramid, Egypt, 1900.

#114 Native women with jars carrying water from the Nile, Egypt, 1900.

Native women with jars carrying water from the Nile, Egypt, 1900.

#117 Temple of Horus, Edfu, Egypt, 1900

Temple of Horus, Edfu, Egypt, 1900

#118 View of Pyramids with native village in foreground, Egypt, 1900.

#120 Colossal statue of Rameses [i.e., Ramses] II, Memphis, 1900.

#121 Kiosk at Philae, looking S.W., taken from a boat. 1900, Egypt.

Kiosk at Philae, looking S.W., taken from a boat. 1900, Egypt.

#123 Assuan and Philae. Kiosk at Philae, looking N. 1900, Egypt

#124 Donkey market in Cairo, 1900.

Donkey market in Cairo, 1900.

#127 Mosque of Emir Akhor, Cairo, 1900.

Mosque of Emir Akhor, Cairo, 1900.

#128 Near view of statues of Rameses [i.e., Ramses] II in the Ramesseum, 1900.

#131 Cairo from the Citadel, 1900.

Cairo from the Citadel, 1900.

#132 Donkey boys on the banks of the Nile, near Thebes, 1900.

#133 The pyramids of Gizeh. Mena House Hotel at pyramids, 1900.

#134 Entance gateway in 1st pylon, of Temple of Isis, 1900.

Entance gateway in 1st pylon, of Temple of Isis, 1900.

#135 Fount of ablution at Mosque of Mohammed ‘Ali Pasha, 1900.

#136 Egyptian irrigating wheel with camel, Egypt, 1900.

#137 Temple of Isis, showing obelisk and colonnade, Egypt, 1900.

Temple of Isis, showing obelisk and colonnade, Egypt, 1900.

#138 Kom-Ombo. Temple of Sobk and Horoeris, Egypt, 1900.

#140 The pyramids of Gizeh. Forest of palms, Memphis, 1900.

#141 Museum of Cairo, exterior, 1900.

Museum of Cairo, exterior, 1900.

#142 Temple of Horus, Edfu. Colonnade in court showing carving on pillars, 1900.

#144 The Elephantine Island, Assuan, 1900.

The Elephantine Island, Assuan, 1900.

#145 Assuan and Philae. Sluices, Assuan Dam, looking S.W. 1900, Egypt.

#147 Looking down the Nile, Cairo, 1900.

Looking down the Nile, Cairo, 1900.

#149 Thebes. Pavilion of Rameses [i.e., Ramses] III, Medinet Habu, Egypt, 1900.

#150 Taking out water from excavations, Karnak, Egypt, 1900.

#151 Natives coaling a steamer at Port Said, Egypt, 1900

Natives coaling a steamer at Port Said, Egypt, 1900

#152 Details of the Church of the Transfiguration [Monastery of St. Catherine], Egypt, 1900.

#153 Taking out water from excavations in Karnak, Egypt, 1900

#154 Sinai salutation among the men, Egypt, 1900.

Sinai salutation among the men, Egypt, 1900.

#156 Typical scene around the campfire at night in Sinai, 1900.

#157 Bedouin women in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

Bedouin women in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

#159 Bedouin woman with all her finery in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

#160 Typical scene around the campfire at night in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

#161 View of the mountains from the gate in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

View of the mountains from the gate in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

#162 Bedouin home in Wady Er-Raha in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

#163 The monk-artist [Monastery of St. Catherine] in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

#164 Sinai via the Red Sea, Tor, and Wady Hebran. Monk climbing up to his cell-chapel [Monastery of St. Catherine] in Sinai, Egypt, 1900

Sinai via the Red Sea, Tor, and Wady Hebran. Monk climbing up to his cell-chapel [Monastery of St. Catherine] in Sinai, Egypt, 1900

#165 Sinai via the Red Sea, Tor, and Wady Hebran. The old well [Monastery of St. Catherine] in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

#166 The famous library [Monastery of St. Catherine] in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

#167 Firing an antique gun for the new year [Monastery of St. Catherine] in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

Firing an antique gun for the new year [Monastery of St. Catherine] in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

#168 Picturesque palm grove in Wady Hebran in Sinai, Egypt, 1900

#169 Shepherds and flocks before Mount Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

#170 Ascending the Wady Hebran in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

#171 Tor from the Bay in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

Tor from the Bay in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

#173 Caravan ascending Wady Hebran in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

#174 Nawamis with Jebel Serbal in the distance in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

Nawamis with Jebel Serbal in the distance in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

#175 Interior of the church seen from the apse [Monastery of St. Catherine] in Sinai, Egypt, 1900.

#177 Spring of el-Wataieh, Sinai, Egypt, 1900

Spring of el-Wataieh, Sinai, Egypt, 1900

#178 The Crescent and the Cross; belfry and minaret [Monastery of St. Catherine] in Sinai, Egypt, 1900

#179 Entrance gateway [Monastery of St. Catherine]in Sinai, Egypt, 1900

#180 Shepherds with flocks before Mount Sinai in Sinai, Egypt, 1900

#181 Nawamis center in Sinai, Egypt, 1900

Nawamis center in Sinai, Egypt, 1900

#182 Guns guarding the entrance in Sinai, Egypt, 1900

#183 Sinai via the desert. The three pyramids of Gizeh, 1900.

#184 Monastery of St. Katherine in Sinai, Egypt, 1900

Monastery of St. Katherine in Sinai, Egypt, 1900

#185 First view of the central Sinai Mountains, 1900.

#187 Sinai via the Red Sea, Tor, and Wady Hebran. Preparing for a night’s camp in Wady el-A’awaj in Sinai, Egypt, 1900

Sinai via the Red Sea, Tor, and Wady Hebran. Preparing for a night's camp in Wady el-A'awaj in Sinai, Egypt, 1900

#189 Small oasis in Wady Hebran in Sinai, Egypt, 1900

#190 Native store of the famous pottery jars, Egypt, 1900

#191 Arrival of a Turkish transport, Egypt, 1900s

Arrival of a Turkish transport, Egypt, 1900s

#192 Entrance gateway of citadel from within Cairo, Egypt, 1900.

#193 The abundance of water in Wady Feiran in Sinai, Egypt, 1900s

#194 Scene in old Cairo, Egypt, 1900.

Scene in old Cairo, Egypt, 1900.

#195 Herd of camels in the desert near the Pyramid, Egypt, 1900

#197 West colonnade of Temple of Isis, looking S.W., Philae, Egypt, 1900

West colonnade of Temple of Isis, looking S.W., Philae, Egypt, 1900

#199 Gathering opium from seed pods of the poppy, Egypt, 1900

#201 Colossi of Memnon in Thebes, Egypt, 1900s

Colossi of Memnon in Thebes, Egypt, 1900s

#202 Camels used for carrying bridal party to wedding, Egypt, 1900s.

#204 Cairo railway station, Egypt, 1900s.

Cairo railway station, Egypt, 1900s.

#205 Cairo donkey boys with donkeys in Cairo, Egypt, 1900s

#206 Entrance to a royal tomb in Thebes, Egypt, 1900s.

#207 Group of Bisharin men, Egypt, 1900s

Group of Bisharin men, Egypt, 1900s

#208 Donkey cart with native passengers, Egypt, 1900s.

#210 Administration building of the Suez Canal Company, Egypt, 1900s.

#211 Temple of Isis at Philae looking N.W. 1900, Egypt

Temple of Isis at Philae looking N.W. 1900, Egypt

#214 Tomb-mosque of Sultan el-Ashraf in Cairo, 1900.

Tomb-mosque of Sultan el-Ashraf in Cairo, 1900.

#217 Mosque of Kait Bey in Cairo, Egypt, 1900

Mosque of Kait Bey in Cairo, Egypt, 1900

#220 Port Said Harbour and entrance of Suez Canal, 1900s

#221 The pyramids of Gizeh. Caravan of Bedouins at the pyramids, 1900

The pyramids of Gizeh. Caravan of Bedouins at the pyramids, 1900

#224 The harbor of Alexandria, 1900

The harbor of Alexandria, 1900

#226 General view of the barrage looking E. along the top, Egypt, 1900s.

#227 Bust of Bisharin girl, Egypt, 1900s.

Bust of Bisharin girl, Egypt, 1900s.

#228 Temple of Horus, Edfu. Entrance to temple, Egypt, 1900s.

#230 Vessels rushing for the open bridge in Cairo, 1900

#231 Arrival of steamer at Port Said, Egypt, 1900s.

Arrival of steamer at Port Said, Egypt, 1900s.

#232 Temple of Horus, Edfu. General view of Temple of Horus, 1900

#233 Court of Mosque of Ibn Touloun in Cairo, Egypt, 1900s.

#234 Mosque of Mohammed Ali Pasha, Egypt, 1900s.

Mosque of Mohammed Ali Pasha, Egypt, 1900s.

#235 General view of Tombs of Khalifs in Cairo, 1900s

#237 General view of Temple of Luxor, 1900

General view of Temple of Luxor, 1900

#238 Seventh and eighth pylons, Karnak, Egypt, 1900s.

#239 First view of Port Said on entering Suez Canal, 1900

#241 Snake charmer in Cairo, 1900

Snake charmer in Cairo, 1900

#243 The tram station in Midan El-Ataba El-Khadra, or Ataba Square in Cairo, Egypt, March 1919.

The tram station in Midan El-Ataba El-Khadra, or Ataba Square in Cairo, Egypt, March 1919.

The building on the left surmounted by a globe is the Tiring department store.

#244 An Egyptian girl with feathers at a Cape to Cairo Red Cross fete in Central Hall.

An Egyptian girl with feathers at a Cape to Cairo Red Cross fete in Central Hall.

#245 English soldier Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, 1st Viscount Allenby, at work on the verandah of the Residency at Cairo with his Egyptian servant.

#246 A lemonade seller in Cairo offers glasses of lemonade on small brass trays, 1905

#247 Tourists and souvenir hunters visit the tomb of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamen, discovered by Howard Carter, in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, 1922

Tourists and souvenir hunters visit the tomb of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamen, discovered by Howard Carter, in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, 1922

#248 Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova (1885 – 1931) in the garden of the Shepherd’s Hotel, on a “Cunarder Scythias” trip to the Mediterranean Society in Cairo.

#249 General Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby (1861 – 1936), High Commisioner in Egypt from 1919–1925, taking the salute in Cairo.

#250 Prince Friedrich Leopold of Prussia (with hand on hip) attends the opening of the tomb of Tutankhamen at Luxor, by the Egyptian government.

#251 Soldiers watching treasures being removed from Tutankhamen’s tomb.

Soldiers watching treasures being removed from Tutankhamen's tomb.

#252 Aerial view of Howard Carter’s archaeological excavations of the tombs of the Pharoahs Ramesses VI and Tutankhamen

#253 British archaeologist Howard Carter (1874 – 1939) at Tutankhamen’s tomb.

#254 Opera Square or Midan Opera in Cairo, with the opera house in the background and on the right, an equestrian statue of Ibrahim Pasha by Charles Cordier.

Opera Square or Midan Opera in Cairo, with the opera house in the background and on the right, an equestrian statue of Ibrahim Pasha by Charles Cordier.

#255 Members of the Mesopotamia Commission, set up to discuss the future of Mesopotamia at the Cairo Conference.

Members of the Mesopotamia Commission, set up to discuss the future of Mesopotamia at the Cairo Conference.

Included in the photograph are Gertrude Bell (second from left, second row), T E Lawrence (fourth from the right, second row) and Winston Churchill (centre front row).

#256 Abdullah bin al-Hussein, Emir of Transjordan (later King Abdullah I of Jordan, 1882–1951, in car, left), in Cairo for a meeting with the British High Commissioner in Egypt Edmund Allenby

#257 British Colonial Secretary Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965) in Cairo for the 1921 Cairo conference, at which he helped establish the borders of the modern Middle East.

British Colonial Secretary Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965) in Cairo for the 1921 Cairo conference, at which he helped establish the borders of the modern Middle East.

#258 Sinai via the desert. Avenue along the Suez Canal at Port Tewfik, 1900.

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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