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| 1855–59 |
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| MUHAMMAD BEY. He sought to assert autocratic control and eschewed the help of local Tunisian authorities at a time when the powers of his office were compromised by foreign interference and the decline of the local economy. The expenses incurred by the military modernization programs of his predecessors forced him to disband most of the modernized army units. | 1 |
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| 1857 |
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| Tax reform. In place of numerous taxes, Muhammad Bey instituted the collection of a single subsidy called the majba, a poll tax that accounted for almost half of the government's revenue by the end of the decade. | 2 |
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| Sept. 10 |
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| Ahd al-aman (Security Covenant). The decree, issued by Muhammad Bey to meet European demands, granted foreigners equality with Muslims before the law and the right to own property, and also abolished government monopolies. | 3 |
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