These figures represent some of the troops in Egypt and the Sudan at the time of General Charles Gordon and the Mahadist revolt.

Egyptian Regular Infantry figures, CE1 to CE6.

White uniform, red fez/tarboosh (cap) with black tassel. Black equipment.

Sudanese Infantry CE7

White uniform with red fez/tarboosh. Brown leather equipment.

Bashi Bazouk CE8 No uniform as such, dress was very individualistic, but generalisations are as follows, white shirt, red, buff, brown, green or blue waistcoat with black or gold trim, red waist sash, blue, white or drab pantaloons, brown leggings over black or dark brown shoes. White turban wrapped around red fez. Brown leather equipment.

Arab Infantry CE9

Irregular uniform appearance but commonly long white pleated shirt hanging well below the waist, white pants. Red waistcoat and sash, white turban. Brown or black leggings and shoes.

Sudanese Gendarme in Zouave uniform CE10 White shirt, light blue coat and pants with yellow trim, red sash. Red fez with white turban wrapped around. White leggings over black boots, brown equipment.

Egyptian Infantry, headcloth CE11

White shirt and pants, black equipment. The usual red fez worn under a white cloth cover.

Black Sudanese Bazinger Rifleman CE12

Irregular uniform appearance but commonly, white pants, white, tan or brown robe worn wrapped around waist & over the shoulder, improvised leather or cloth equipment, red fez with black tassel.

Variations

In the far flung regions of the Sudan military dress and equipment would often appear anything but uniform. While the members of regular Egyptian units might look similar, those collectors and gamers who like plenty of variation in their units could include some CE7 and CE11 in otherwise regularly equipped units. The reverse is also possible, with the less well equipped CE 7 and CE 11 making up units, perhaps with a few of CE 1 to CE 4 representing those individuals retaining most of their issued equipment.

Bashi Bazouk individuals often wore widely differing dress so units of CE 8 can be suplemented by some appropriately painted CE 9 and CE 10.

The highly regarded Black Sudanese troops, CE 12, could be mixed with the better dressed CE 7. Following the early victories of the Mahadist revolt, large numbers of former Egyptian army troops were incorporated into the Mahadist army. CE 12 can be used as Jihadiya rifleman, with some CE 7. Note that the red fez was not worn in the Mahadist army, white caps would be appropriate.

Both regular and irregular units can be commanded by Egyptian Officers CE 5 or CE 6.

The same article also shows an interesting picture of a Sikh policeman in full dress for Central Africa, 1891. He wears a yellow fez with a black turban, white shirt, black zouave jacket with yellow cuffs, white sash, yellow zouave pants and white leggings. The jacket is trimmed with a yellow stripe with black central line. There is no fez tassel. The leather waist belt is black. The three colors of the uniform apparently represented the three races serving together in Central Africa.