It was forbidden to send young men to Western universities--the term of absence in foreign countries was limited to five years for nobles, three for Russian subjects.

The Russian language, literature, and history were to be given prominence over all studies in the schools.

German free-thought was especially disliked by him.

His instincts were not mistaken, for what the Encyclopedists had been to the Revolution of 1789, the new school of thought in Germany would be to that of 1848.

So from his point of view he was wise in excluding philosophy from the universities and permitting it to be taught only by ecclesiastics.
The Khedive of Egypt, who ruled under a Turkish protectorate, in 1832 was at war with his master the Sultan.