Mai of Borno vs Mohammad Reza Pahlavi

The Mai became the traditional ruler of the Bornu Empire, a Kanuri state in the Lake Chad region. His reign occurred during the empire's decline, facing pressure from the Fulani jihad and internal rebellions.

The Mai's army was defeated by Fulani jihadists at the Battle of Ngala, leading to the loss of western Bornu territories. This defeat weakened the empire's control over trade routes and reduced its political influence.

The Mai signed a commercial treaty with the British Empire, granting trading rights in Bornu. This agreement aimed to counter the Fulani threat by securing European support, but it also increased British influence in the region.

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was reinstated as Shah after a CIA- and MI6-backed coup overthrew Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. The coup ended Iran's democratic experiment and established the Shah's authoritarian rule, fueling long-term resentment.

The Shah launched the White Revolution, a series of land reforms, modernization, and women's suffrage. While it aimed to modernize Iran, it disrupted traditional rural life, concentrated wealth, and alienated the clergy and landowners.

The Shah hosted an extravagant celebration at Persepolis to mark 2,500 years of the Persian monarchy. The event was criticized for its opulence and disregard for Iran's poverty, fueling opposition to his regime.

Mass protests led by Ayatollah Khomeini overthrew the Shah's regime. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi fled Iran in January 1979, eventually seeking medical treatment abroad. He died in exile in Egypt in 1980, never returning to Iran.