the orientalist scholarship was in part used by colonial powers to justify colonialism. silvestre de sacy, the most important orientalist scholar of his period, advised the french government during the invasion of algeria in 1830. in the early 20th century, the orientalist scholar snouck hurgonje helped the dutch government in the formulation of the policies during the colonization of indonesia. thomas edward lawrence, famous for his nickname “lawrence of arabia”, was an orientalist scholar and student of the oxford orientalist and archeologist d.g. hogarth. lawrence was sent by the british government to arabia to join the arab rebel forces in the “arab revolt” during the first world war. lord cromer is a great example to see how colonial power and orientalist knowledge were connected. cromer was general counsel of the british protectorate of egypt from 1883 to 1907, and was considered an authoritative figure on egypt and the orient. in 1908 published ‘"modern egypt’". he gave an account of his permanence in egypt. in his narrative, we find all the characteristic elements of orientalism. in fact, he placed a clear distinction between the rational and advanced west, and the irrational and submissive east. muslim women were seen as enslaved, and islam as an unchanging, backward, and oppressive religion. he affirms that the egyptians are incapable of governing themselves, highlighting instead the civilizing mission of the british colonists.