The National Police Museum at the Cairo Citadel is holding an exhibition featuring costumes from the Mamluk era (1250 to 1517) to the time of the family of Mohamed Ali Pasha.
Exhibits range from the dress of ordinary citizens to costumes worn by the ruling classes.
Museum director Abdel-Baset Mohamed said that the exhibition also gives an insight into state affairs during the reign of Muhammad Ali Pasha (1805-1849).
Mohamed Ali Pasha as wali (governor) of Egypt is one of several figures in period costume in a tableau illustrating the supreme council of the day.
The wali, dressed in military uniform and sporting a curved sword, is flanked by advisors. Before him stands an interpreter acting for a peasant to resolve a grievance.
A collection of paintings depicting costumes from 1250 to 1952 adorns the walls.
The exhibition, which opened on April 24, runs for three months. The citadel is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
