Note 33 — Chapter IX · MUHAMMAD ALI OPENS UP THE WHITE NILE

The name of this notable African city is said to mean, in the local Arabic, “elephant’s trunk,” as the long spit of sand on which it was erected was supposed to resemble that feature. Other etymologies are quoted. Apparently the name was that of a small fishing village of grass huts which was selected by Ibrahim Pasha as a camp commanding both the White and Blue Niles and easily defended. Khartum, from its situation, rapidly became the metropolis of the Sudan. It was taken and destroyed by the Mahdi in 1885. Its site was reoccupied by Lord Kitchener’s victorious force in 1898. Khartum has since been rebuilt, and will probably become one of the greatest cities of Africa.