In the 18th century, the Ottoman-appointed pashas in Egypt were overshadowed by the Mamluk beys, particularly through the offices of Shaykh al-Balad and Amir al-hajj. This shift in power is poorly documented due to the lack of detailed chronicles for this period.^[102]

In 1707, a conflict between two Mamluk factions, the Qasimites and the Fiqarites, led by Shaykh al-Balad Qasim Iywaz, resulted in a prolonged battle outside Cairo. Qasim Iywaz's death led to his son Ismail becoming Shaykh al-Balad, who reconciled the factions during his 16-year tenure.^[102] The "Great Sedition" of 1711-1714, a religious uprising against Sufi practices, caused significant upheaval until suppressed.^[103] Ismail's assassination in 1724 triggered further power struggles, with leaders like Shirkas Bey and Dhu-'l-Fiqar succeeding and being assassinated in turn.^[102]

By 1743, Othman Bey was displaced by Ibrahim and Ridwan Bey, who then jointly ruled Egypt, alternating key offices. They survived multiple coup attempts, leading to changes in leadership and the emergence of Ali Bey al-Kabir.^[102] Ali Bey, initially known for defending a caravan, sought to avenge Ibrahim's death and became Sheikh al-Balad in 1760. His stringent rule caused dissent, leading to his temporary exile.^[102]

In 1766, Ali Bey fled to Yemen but returned to Cairo in 1767, bolstering his position by appointing allies as beys. He attempted to centralize military power and declared Egypt independent in 1769, resisting Ottoman attempts to regain control.^[102] Ali Bey expanded his influence across the Arabian Peninsula, but his reign faced challenges from within, particularly from his son-in-law, Abu-'l-Dhahab, who eventually aligned with the Ottoman Porte and marched on Cairo in 1772.^[102]

Ali Bey's defeat and subsequent death in 1773 led to Egypt returning to Ottoman control under Abu-'l-Dhahab. After Abu-'l-Dhahab's death in 1775, power struggles continued, with Ismail Bey becoming Sheikh al-Balad but eventually being ousted by Ibrahim and Murad Bey, who established a joint rule. This period was marked by internal disputes and an Ottoman expedition in 1786 to reassert control over Egypt.

By 1798, when Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Egypt, Ibrahim Bey and Murad Bey were still in power, marking a period of continuous political turbulence and power shifts in 18th-century Egyptian history.^[102]