Habibullah Khan vs Mustafa II

Habibullah Khan introduced limited modern reforms, including the establishment of a military academy, a postal service, and a hydroelectric plant in Jalalabad. He also encouraged education and built roads, but faced resistance from conservative clergy.

Habibullah Khan signed a treaty with the British reaffirming the agreements of the previous reign, including British control over Afghan foreign policy. In return, Britain provided a subsidy and guaranteed non-interference in internal affairs.

During World War I, Habibullah Khan maintained Afghanistan's neutrality despite pressure from the Ottoman Empire and Germany to join the Central Powers. He resisted calls for jihad against the British, preserving stability but angering nationalists.

Habibullah Khan was assassinated while on a hunting trip in Laghman Province. The perpetrators were never definitively identified, but suspicions fell on anti-British factions or family rivals. His death triggered a succession crisis.

Mustafa II personally led the Ottoman army in campaigns against the Habsburgs, recapturing the island of Chios in 1695. He was the last Ottoman sultan to lead a military campaign in person, a tradition that ended after his reign.

Mustafa II's army was decisively defeated by the Habsburg forces under Prince Eugene of Savoy at Zenta. The Ottoman army was caught crossing the Tisza River and suffered heavy losses. This defeat led to the Treaty of Karlowitz.

Mustafa II signed the Treaty of Karlowitz with the Holy League, ending the Great Turkish War. The treaty ceded Hungary, Transylvania, and Podolia to the Habsburgs, Poland, and Venice. This marked the first major territorial loss for the Ottoman Empire.

Mustafa II was deposed by a Janissary revolt known as the Edirne Event. The rebels, angry over his reliance on the grand vizier and his stay in Edirne, marched on Istanbul. He was forced to abdicate in favor of his brother Ahmed III.