The firmans obtained by Isma'il

02The firmans obtained by Isma'il

The firman of May 1866

• It is counted as the beginning of Isma'il's independence in ruling Egypt. It settled:
  • the succession to the throne for the oldest of Isma'il's male sons by age;
  • increasing the Egyptian army to 30,000 soldiers instead of 18,000;
  • Egypt's right to strike coin;
  • the granting of civil ranks up to the second rank.

The firman of June 1867

• Under it Isma'il received the title "Khedive" — a Turkish term meaning "the magnified one" — instead of "wali".
• He enjoyed a measure of independence in internal and financial administration, in making treaties on posts, customs, the transit of goods and passengers inside the country, and in police matters concerning the foreign communities.

The firman of September 1872

• It expressly granted Isma'il the right to borrow from abroad without referring to the Ottoman State.

The Comprehensive Firman (June 1873)

• It confirmed for Egypt its full rights in internal independence,
  • except: paying the annual tribute, not making political treaties, diplomatic representation, and the manufacture of armoured war machines.

Comparison table of the firmans