Sennar in 1821. The Egyptians then launched three failed invasions against Taqali. An agreement was reached with Egypt that Taqali would remain de facto independent but would pay a nominal tax and be officially incorporated into Egyptian Sudan. Egypt and other outside powers attempted to influence the leadership of Taqali, which was plagued by succession conflicts from 1840 to 1880. In 1883 the Mahdist Sudanese (who were in the midst of the Mahdist War with Egypt) decided to invade Taqali. Their campaign advanced further than any previous attempt. In July 1884 the ruler of Taqali, Makk Adam, was captured by the Mahdists and eventually died in captivity. Insurrections continued in Taqali, and Hamdan Abu Anja, a nearby Sudanese ruler, was dispatched to quell the rebellion. This resulted in more pillaging and destruction in Taqali. The state was then conquered by the forces of the self-proclaimed Mahdi, Muhammad Ahmad, in the late 19th century. In conjunction with other campaigns and revolts in Egyptian Sudan, this resulted in the formation of Mahdist State. Restoration In 1889 the Mahdists were defeated by the British, who formed Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. The Makk of Taqali was restored to power but remained closely controlled by the British. The Makks of Taqali proved to be useful allies and the British gradually gave them more territory to control and administer. This continued through to the independence of Sudan in 1956. The administrative power of the state ended with the 1969 coup. Though having no political power, the Makk of Taqali remains a ceremonial leader to the people of the region. Royal family The title of the ruler of Taqali was Makk (or Mek, "king"), possibly Arabic but more likely an Arabized word of Merotici or, Ge'ez origin. The tributaries of the Makk of Taqali were known as mukūk al-ʿāda (sing. make al-ʿāda), "customary kings". In Taqali, the son of a makk was a wad al-makk (pl. awlād al-makk), and the son of a daughter of the makk was an arbāb (pl. arābīb). The arābīb were usually prominent councils of the makk, while the arābīb al-thamāniyya (eight arābīb) were a special council that met in the palace. An arbāb could sometimes pass his rank to his sons. Likewise, the title of wad was sometimes bestowed on trusted slaves or servants. All awlād were eligible to be elected as makk. A wad who was given a territory from which to draw