Discuss the reasons for the rise of the Mahdist state in Sudan.

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons for the rise of the Mahdist state in Sudan. Factors may predate the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue identified in the question. Candidates may categorize reasons into long- and short-term factors, or they may group them into the social, political and economic reasons that contributed to the rise of the Mahdist state. Additionally or alternatively, they may consider internal or external factors. Factors identified may include the leadership and charisma of the Mahdi, popular dissatisfaction with Egyptian and British rule, heavy taxation, British control of trade and restriction of slavery, Egyptian weakness and initial British disinterest in the Sudan, a factor which created a political opportunity for the Mahdi, and jihadism and how this stimulated popular support.