THE SEVEN EXILES

Ahamed Orabi Pasha

Leader of the National Revolt in Egypt, born in 1841 from a peasant family with strong religious affections, as he was a descendant from the Holy Prophet Mohamed.

After a short period of study in AL-AZHAR Orabi was conscripted to the Army and soon became a remarkable officer. The discriminations in the Army and the mis-government of the Khedive led in 1881 to the formation of the National Movement under the leadership of Colonel Orabi who compelled the Khedive to appoint a Revolutionary Government with Orabi as War Minister.

The British, with the consent of the Khedive entered Egypt, suppressed the Revolution and expelled ' Orabi Pasha and Six other leaders to life Exile in Ceylon.

During his 19 years of Exile, Orabi Pasha inspired the Ceylonese Nationalists and encouraged the Nationality Spirit, 'Ceylon for the Ceylonese' as 'Egypt for the Egyptians' Ahamed Orabi Pasha was the strength behind the reinforcement to the revivalist movement of modernization of the Muslim Educational System headed by the Great visionary leader of the Muslims M.C.Siddi Lebbe whose efforts was ably supported by the assiduous efforts of the wise philanthropist Wapiche Marikkar and Careemjee Jafferjee. The dream of our community leaders became a reality when Zahira College was founded in the year 1892 (using the name provided by Orabi Pasha and a tribute to AL-AZHAR in Egypt) under the auspices of Ahamed Orabi. Orabi Pasha was chosen as the first Honorary Chairman of the School.

Orabi Pasha lived in Colombo until 1892,- then moved to Kandy to the house known as " Arabi House " until he was pardoned in 1901.

On the 17th September 1901 the German Ship "Princess Irene" sailed from Colombo Harbour carrying Orabi Pasha and his family to their mother­land Egypt, where he died peacefully on the 21st September 1911.

MAHMOUD SAMI EL BAROUDI PASHA

A Statesman and a Brilliant soldier and poet. He was the Prime Minister of the Revolutionary Government and the most famous of the Exiles after Orabi Pasha. Despite his Circassian origin and his strong ties with the Palace, El Baroudi Pasha took the risk of joining the rebellion and thereby lost all his Enormous possessions.In Ceylon he wrote the most beautiful of his poem titled "Serendibiat" (Ceylonese). El Baroudi Pasha was pardoned after being sick and lost his sight and left Ceylon in 1899 to Egypt, where he died in 1904.

ALI FAHMI PASHA

He was the other colonel who made the trio and began the revolt in 1881. He was also of Fellah (peasant) origin. During the battle of Kassaseen, he was guarding the Suez Canal Zone. He fought bravely against the British units he was seriously wounded and was transferred to Cairo. Fahmi Pasha shared Orabi Pasha's victories as well as his defeats and Exile. He was the last Exile to stay with Orabi until 1901. He left only some few months before Orabi's departure of Egypt. He was also the last survivor of the leaders who died and November 1911 just after Orabi Pasha.

ADBEL AAL HELMI PASHA

He was a Fellah (peasant) office and one of the three colonels who started the revolts in 1881. He commanded the black regiment and was described as "a valiant fighting man as any in the Egyptian Army". He was guarding Damietta before the battle of Tel-El-Kebir. He was the first officer to die in Exile on 19 March 1891 and was buried in the Kuppiyawatte Moslem Burial Ground in Colombo. A memorial stands at the spot where he was buried.

MAHMOUD FAHMI PASHA

A brilliant Engineer and Minister of Public Works in the Revolutionary Government. During the War he built the strong fortifications in Kafr-el-Dawar, and in the Suez Canal Zone. It was when he went to complete these lines that he fell into the hands of the British and had to surrender his sword. In Exile he devoted himself to writing and compiled a book on the World General History. On June 17 1894 he died in Kandy and was buried in the Mahaiyawa Muslim Cemetery. A new memorial was built to mark the spot of his burial.

YACOUB SAMI PASHA

He was the Secretary of the War Ministry in the Revolutionary Government and contributed largely in organizing the National Movement. After a brief sickness he Died on 30th October 1899 in Kandy and was buried beside Mahmoud Fahmi Pasha in the Mahaiyawa Muslim Cemetery. His tomb and the tomb of Fahmi Pasha share a common memorial marking their burial. In Ceylon Sami Pasha gave his daughter in marriage to El Baroudi Pasha. Another daughter was engaged to be another son of Orabi Pasha.

TOULBA ESMAT PASHA

He was one of the remarkable leaders in the revolt. During the War he was guarding the Zone of Alexandria, the Kafr-el-Dawar. In Exile he found the climate disagreeable because he was a chronic asthmatic and was trying to get to Cyprus. When he was offered St. Helena he preferred to remain in Ceylon. Considering his sickness the Khedive pardoned him in 1899. He was the first Exile to return to Egypt where he died in the same year. His son Ahmed Fouad Toulba compiled a very interesting Book Entitled "Ceylon the Land of Eternal Charm."