الاقباط و سكة حديد السودان (1864-1884 م)‎

Abstract EN

This paper examines the lifestyle of Coptic railway workers of the sudan railways (1865–1885).

the sudan railway project developed as the Egyptian government was considering building railways to connect the Sudan to Egypt.

planning started in said pasha’s time but soon stopped due to the high costs estimated.

the enterprise, however, was later reconsidered in 1865 during khedive Ismail's reign.

a number of construction plans were submitted and fuller’s was ultimately approved.

fuller’s plan proposed building three lines: a line from halfa to al-Matammah (800 km) a line from al-Dabbah to al-Fasher (800 km)a line from shendi to the red sea (650 km)the first line was extended for 53 km until sers but construction was brought to a halt in 1878 by Egypt's financial crisis coupled with the governor of the Sudan general Gordon's objection and staunch resistance to the enterprise.

interest in the project, however, resurged with the outbreak of the Mahdist revolution as the railway became vital to transport ammunition, materiel and soldiers.

by 1885, the line was extended for an additional 180 km from sers to Okasha south of halfa.

it was also decided to build another line from Suakin to Berber in the same year but incidents of the revolution brought the entire project to a standstill.

it is striking, however, that a large number of Copts were employed to work on the project in a variety of jobs.

their roles varied from clerks and cashiers to handle the administrative and financial aspects of the railways to artisans, manual workers, soldiers, Navvies, guards and railroad switchmen.

their numbers increased as work on the project continued.

more Copts migrated with their families and relatives to work on the railways, establishing a Coptic community and adapting available resources to form a church.

this paper investigates the type and ways of life these Copts led as well as their roles.