Ahmad Shah Durrani vs Augustus II the Strong

Ahmad Shah Durrani was elected as the leader of the Pashtun tribes at a loya jirga in Kandahar, following the assassination of Nadir Shah of Persia. He was crowned as the first King of Afghanistan, founding the Durrani Empire and the modern Afghan state.

Ahmad Shah Durrani made Kandahar the capital of his new empire. He built a new city, including the famous mausoleum of the Prophet Muhammad's cloak, and established it as the political and cultural center of the Durrani Empire.

Ahmad Shah Durrani captured the cities of Herat and Mashhad from the declining Persian Empire. These conquests expanded the Durrani Empire's territory into modern-day Iran and secured control over key trade routes and religious centers.

Ahmad Shah Durrani led Afghan forces to a decisive victory against the Maratha Empire at the Third Battle of Panipat in India. The battle halted Maratha expansion in northern India and established Afghan influence in the region, but also weakened both empires.

Augustus II was elected King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania after converting to Catholicism. His election was supported by Russia and Austria, marking the beginning of his reign over the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Augustus II created a personal union between Saxony and Poland, ruling both territories. This union lasted intermittently until 1763, linking the German electorate with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Augustus II allied with Peter the Great of Russia and Frederick IV of Denmark against Sweden. This alliance initiated the Great Northern War, aiming to reduce Swedish dominance in the Baltic region.

Following Swedish King Charles XII's invasion of Poland, Augustus II was deposed by the Swedish-backed Stanis

After the Swedish defeat at the Battle of Poltava, Augustus II was restored as King of Poland with Russian support. He returned to power but with diminished authority, effectively becoming a Russian client.