Ottoman impact on Egyptian architecture in the Period of Mehmet Ali Pasha

The main purpose of this thesis is to discuss the universal characteristics of the XIXth century Egyptian mosque designs by tracing the Ottoman influences and tracing the origins of the Egyptian mosque designs built during the reign of Mehmet Ali Pasha. In this study, the most important mosque architectural design types, which date back to the XIXth century in Egypt and trace the origins of mosque designs in the Ottoman Empire, are discussed. In addition, the channels that imported these architectural features to Egypt were listed and the factors coming from different Ottoman and European sources were investigated. The relations between the Ottoman state and Egypt date back to an early period, beginning with the assignment of Ahmed b. Tolun to Egypt (868-883). After Egypt was made an Ottoman province, the architectural and ornamental styles in Istanbul and the old Mamluk styles began to take place in Egypt, as well as Ottoman styles had a profound influence on all types of architecture of the Mehmet Ali Pasha period. As a result of this, the mosque that Mehmet Ali Pasha built during the struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire aims to express his desire to become the new Ottoman sultan. This mosque is equally well expressed in its Glorious Ottoman past, in the classical style of the mosque and its location in Cairo Citadel. Therefore, Mehmet Ali Mosque, known as the "marble mosque", built in the type of Ottoman Selâtin mosques, revives the features of Ottoman architecture with its classical plan. Keywords: Mosque, Muhammad Ali Pasha, Ottoman Architecture, Memluqids Architecture, Islamic Ornament