Mswati III vs Sikandar Jah

Mswati III was crowned king of Swaziland at age 18, ending a four-year regency. His coronation continued the absolute monarchy established by his father Sobhuza II.

Mswati III faced criticism for his response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which infected over 25% of Eswatini's population. He declared a national emergency but was accused of insufficient action and spending on royal luxuries.

Mswati III officially renamed the Kingdom of Swaziland to the Kingdom of Eswatini, meaning 'land of the Swazis,' to mark 50 years of independence and shed colonial-era names.

Mswati III faced widespread pro-democracy protests demanding political reforms and an end to absolute monarchy. Security forces cracked down, resulting in dozens of deaths and arrests. The protests were the largest in Eswatini's history.

Mswati III's multiple marriages and lavish spending on royal palaces and cars drew criticism amid poverty in Eswatini. He defended polygamy as a cultural tradition but faced accusations of misusing public funds.

Sikandar Jah ascended the throne of Hyderabad after the death of his father, Nizam Ali Khan. His reign was characterized by a close and subordinate alliance with the British East India Company.

Sikandar Jah signed a treaty of subsidiary alliance with the British East India Company, accepting a British resident in Hyderabad and a British-controlled military force. This effectively made Hyderabad a princely state under British paramountcy.

Sikandar Jah initiated the construction of the Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad, a grand complex of four palaces. The project was completed later and became a symbol of the Nizam's power and architectural patronage.