Behanzin vs Timur Shah Durrani

Upon ascending the throne, Behanzin refused to sign a French protectorate treaty that would have made Dahomey a French colony. This act of defiance directly led to the escalation of hostilities and the Second Franco-Dahomean War.

Behanzin led a full-scale war against French colonial forces under General Alfred Dodds. Despite fierce resistance and the use of the Dahomey Amazons, the French superior firepower and logistics led to the capture of the capital, Abomey, in November 1892.

After surrendering to the French in 1894, Behanzin was deposed and exiled to Martinique, a French colony in the Caribbean. This exile ended his reign and marked the definitive end of Dahomey's independence, as the French established full colonial control.

Timur Shah led several military campaigns against the Sikh Confederacy in the Punjab region. While he achieved some tactical victories, he failed to permanently subdue the Sikhs, who continued to expand their territory. These campaigns drained the empire's resources.

Timur Shah faced multiple revolts from Pashtun tribes, particularly the Ghilzai and Abdali, who opposed his rule. He used military force to suppress these uprisings, executing rebel leaders and imposing heavy taxes, but the revolts weakened the empire's cohesion.

Timur Shah Durrani moved the capital of the Durrani Empire from Kandahar to Kabul. This shift was intended to better control the eastern provinces and counter threats from the Mughal Empire and Sikhs. It also reduced the influence of Pashtun tribal leaders in Kandahar.