WI Muhammad Ahmad didn't die

During the Mahdist revolt, the Mahdi (Muhammad Ahmad) died, and the revolt petered out and was defeated soon afterwards. However, what if he had survived his illness and returned to take back the Sudan? Could there be a serious British military retaliation? Could other power intervene? Could he even keep the Sudan together?
 
Bump since no one answered this. Basically the Sudanese revolt beat the crap out of the Egyptians multiple times, took Khartoum, and then the Mahdi keeled over and died of Typhus. What would happen to British prestige if the Mahdi survived and continued his campaigns? Would an independent Sudan be possible?
 
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