Original 1880s Sudanese Mahdi Dervish Long Dagger with Crocodile Skin Grip Original Items

Original item. Only One Available. This came home with a British Soldier after the great Battle of Omdurman in 1898, when Great Britain finally annihilated the extreme Muslim sect initially led by the “Mardi” (the Chosen One) and then after his death the “Kalifa” ( the Successor).

The loss of General Gordon At Khartoum in 1875 sent an terrible message to the British Government led by Mr. Gladstone. Revenge was a number one priority however it took until 1898 before retribution was finally delivered mostly due to, believe it or not, “POLITICS”. The same held true for Britain after defeat by the Zulus at Isandwanna in 1879, but then the shock was sufficient for instant response resulting in the routing of the Zulu Nation within nine months

This is rather unusual, traditionally the Dervishes carried large Crusader like Broad Sword known as “KASKARAS” and small daggers bound to the left fore arm with which the held a Rhino hide shield. This unusual weapon is classic in Dervish style but the blade which has typical Dervish line engravings overall has a blade measuring a full 17″. The hilt/grip is of Ottoman style and completely covered in Crocodile skin, the real giveaway to its Nile origin. Having sat on exhibition for over one hundred years in a Regimental museum this Dervish long dagger or even short sword is now a total sleeper and if desired could use a very good cleaning. However it has taken 120 years to accumulate this “attic” patina that maybe a Collector would rather have it the way it now is.

Most unusual and attractive, ready to display.

Muhammad Ahmad bin Abd Allah (Arabic: محمد أحمد ابن عبد الله; August 12, 1844 – June 22, 1885) was a religious leader of the Samaniyya order in Sudan who, on June 29, 1881, proclaimed himself the Mahdi (or Madhi), the messianic redeemer of the Islamic faith. His proclamation came during a period of widespread resentment among the Sudanese population of the oppressive policies of the Turco-Egyptian rulers, and capitalized on the messianic beliefs popular among the various Sudanese religious sects of the time. More broadly, the Mahdiyya, as Muhammad Ahmad’s movement was called, was influenced by earlier Mahdist movements in West Africa, as well as Wahabism and other puritanical forms of Islamic revivalism that developed in reaction to the growing military and economic dominance of the European powers throughout the 19th century.

From his announcement of the Mahdiyya in June 1881 until the fall of Khartoum in January 1885, Muhammad Ahmad led a successful military campaign against the Turco-Egyptian government of the Sudan (known as the Turkiyah). During this period, many of the theological and political doctrines of the Mahdiyya were established and promulgated among the growing ranks of the Mahdi’s supporters, the Ansars. After Muhammad Ahmad’s unexpected death on 22 June 1885, a mere six months after the conquest of Khartoum, his chief deputy, Abdallahi ibn Muhammad took over the administration of the nascent Mahdist state.