Fateh Singh of Udaipur vs Muhammad al-Mahdi as-Senussi

Fateh Singh became Maharana of Mewar at age 35 after the death of his brother Sajjan Singh. His reign was marked by efforts to preserve Mewar's autonomy while cooperating with the British, and he became a prominent figure in the early Indian independence movement.

Fateh Singh extended moral and financial support to the Indian National Congress in its early years. He allowed Congress sessions to be held in Udaipur and advocated for Indian representation in British governance, though he remained a loyal prince.

Fateh Singh commissioned the Fateh Prakash Palace in Udaipur, a blend of Rajput and European styles. The palace served as a royal residence and later became a heritage hotel, reflecting his patronage of architecture.

Fateh Singh publicly opposed the British partition of Bengal, aligning with the Swadeshi movement. He encouraged the use of Indian-made goods and supported the boycott of British products, though he did not engage in open rebellion.

Fateh Singh died in 1930 after a 46-year reign. He was succeeded by his son Bhupal Singh. His reign saw Mewar maintain its cultural identity while engaging with the nationalist movement.

Muhammad al-Mahdi as-Senussi's father, Muhammad ibn Ali as-Senussi, founded the Senussi order in Mecca. After his father's death in 1859, al-Mahdi became the order's leader and expanded it significantly.

Al-Mahdi moved the Senussi headquarters to the Kufra oasis in southeastern Libya in 1895. This location became the spiritual and administrative center of the order, facilitating expansion into central Africa.

Al-Mahdi led Senussi resistance against French colonial forces advancing from Chad into the Sahara. The conflict resulted in Senussi military defeats and loss of territory, but solidified the order's anti-colonial stance.

Al-Mahdi died in 1902 at Kufra. His son, Ahmed Sharif as-Senussi, succeeded him as leader of the order, continuing the anti-colonial struggle and later supporting the Ottoman Empire in World War I.