Mohammad Mosaddegh vs Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Mosaddegh's government nationalized the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, taking control of Iran's oil industry from British ownership. The move was popular in Iran but led to a British-led boycott and severe economic pressure.

Mosaddegh was elected Prime Minister by the Majlis (parliament) after leading the campaign for oil nationalization. He became a symbol of Iranian nationalism and anti-imperialism, but his policies created conflict with the Shah and Western powers.

The CIA and MI6 orchestrated a coup (Operation Ajax) that overthrew Mosaddegh's government. He was arrested after days of street fighting, and the Shah returned to power. The coup ended Iranian democracy and led to 25 years of autocratic rule.

After the coup, Mosaddegh was tried for treason and sentenced to three years in prison, then placed under house arrest in his village of Ahmadabad until his death. He remained a symbol of resistance against foreign intervention.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman announced a six-point program demanding autonomy for East Pakistan. This became the charter of the Bengali nationalist movement and led to his arrest and the 1970 elections.

Mujib's Awami League won a landslide victory in Pakistan's general election, securing a majority in the National Assembly. The West Pakistani establishment refused to transfer power, triggering the Bangladesh Liberation War.

On March 26, 1971, Mujib declared Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan. He was arrested by the Pakistani army the same night, but his declaration sparked the nine-month war of independence.

After returning from imprisonment in Pakistan, Mujib became the first Prime Minister of independent Bangladesh. He faced the monumental task of rebuilding a war-torn nation.

Sheikh Mujib was assassinated along with most of his family in a military coup. The coup brought a period of military rule and political instability to Bangladesh.