British forces landed in Egypt in 1882 to put down an armed rebellion against the then-ruling Twefik Pasha, Maintain order, and, most importantly, ensure access to the Suez Canal. They stayed for three-quarters of a century. The story of their rule describes administrators and soldiers who governed a people they didn't really understand, but who unwittingly created the basis for a modern country. Lord Cromer, Chinese Gordon, Kitchener, the Mahdi, Farouk, Masser and Anthony Eden are among the men who played vital roles in this period.