Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: the land and the people -- The eastern Bilad al-Sudan in the Middle Ages -- The eastern Bilad al-Sudan from the early sixteen th to the early nineteenth century -- The inauguration of the Turco-Egy ptian Râegime: 1820-25 -- Settlement and stagnation : 1825-62 -- The er a of Khedive Isma'il: 1863-81 -- The Mahdist revolution: 1881-85 -- The reign of the Khalifa 'Abdallahi: 1885-98 -- Pacification and consolida tion: 1899-1913 -- Revolt and reaction: 1914-36 -- The development of S udanese nationalism: 1937-52 -- The achievement of independence, 1953-5 6 -- Parliamentary and military government: 1956-69 -- The era of Jaafa r Nimeiri: 1969-85 -- The transitional government and the third parliam entary râegime: 1985-89 -- The national Islamic front in power, 1989-99 -- The Sudan and the new millennium.