in the Egyptian court, as ruler in Riyadh and supported him with Egyptian troops. In 1840, however, external conflicts forced the Egyptians to withdraw all their presence in the Arabian Peninsula, leaving Khalid with little support. Seen by most locals as nothing more than an Egyptian governor, Khalid was toppled soon afterwards by Abdullah bin Thunayan, of the collateral Al Thunayan branch. Faisal, however, had been released that year and, aided by the Al Rashid rulers of Ha'il, was able to retake Riyadh and resume his rule, later appointing his son Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki as heir apparent, and divided his dominions between his three sons Abdullah, Saud, and Muhammad. This time Faisal recognised Ottoman suzerainty and paid an annual tribute, in exchange he was recognised as “ruler of all the Arabs” by the Ottomans. Upon Faisal's death in 1865 the state began to decline due to the fact that different rulers, namely Abdullah, Saud, Abdul Rahman and Saud's sons, became the head of the state until 1891. Immediately following the death of Faisal Abdullah assumed rule in Riyadh but was soon challenged by his brother, Saud. The two brothers fought a long civil war, in which they traded rule in Riyadh several times. A vassal of the Saudis, Muhammad bin Abdullah Al Rashid of Ha'il took the opportunity to intervene in the conflict and increase his own power. Gradually, Al Rashid extended his authority over most of Najd, including the Saudi capital, Riyadh. He finally expelled the last Saudi leader, Abdul Rahman bin Faisal, from Najd after the Battle of Mulayda in 1891. Rulers Abdul Rahman bin Faisal, last ruler of the Emirate. Imam Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad (first time) 1819–1820 Imam Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad (second time) 1824–1834 Imam Mishari bin Abdul Rahman bin Mishari 1834–1834 (Usurper) Imam Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud (first time) 1834–1838 Imam Khalid bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud 1838–1841 Imam Abdullah bin Thunayan bin Ibrahim bin Thunayan bin Saud 1841–1843 Imam Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud (second time) 1843–1865 Imam Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki (first time) 1865–1871 Imam Saud ibn Faisal 1871–1871 (first time) Imam Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki (second time) 1871–1873 Imam Saud bin Faisal (second time) 1873–1875 Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal (first time) 1875–1876 Imam Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki (third time) 1876–1889 Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal (second time)