Guru Tegh Bahadur vs King Faisal I of Iraq

Guru Har Krishan appointed Tegh Bahadur as his successor, making him the ninth Sikh Guru. This continued the tradition of guru succession and brought a period of renewed focus on Sikh teachings.

Guru Tegh Bahadur founded the city of Anandpur Sahib in the Shivalik Hills. It became a major Sikh center and later the birthplace of the Khalsa.

Guru Tegh Bahadur traveled extensively through Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, spreading Sikh teachings. He visited many places, including Patna and Dhaka, strengthening the Sikh community's presence.

Guru Tegh Bahadur was arrested and executed in Delhi by order of Emperor Aurangzeb for refusing to convert to Islam and for protecting Kashmiri Pandits. His martyrdom at Chandni Chowk became a pivotal event in Sikh history.

Prince Faisal, leading Arab forces alongside British officer T.E. Lawrence, captured Damascus from the Ottoman Empire. This victory was a key moment in the Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule. Faisal established an Arab government in Syria, but his rule was short-lived due to French colonial ambitions.

Faisal was proclaimed King of Syria by the Syrian National Congress. However, France, which had been granted a mandate over Syria, invaded and defeated his forces at the Battle of Maysalun. Faisal was expelled from Syria, ending his brief reign and leading to French colonial rule.

Faisal was crowned King of Iraq under British auspices, following a plebiscite organized by the British authorities. He was chosen as a compromise candidate acceptable to both the British and local Sunni and Shia leaders. His reign aimed to build a modern Iraqi state from three former Ottoman provinces.

Under Faisal's leadership, Iraq achieved formal independence from the British Mandate and was admitted to the League of Nations. This was a major milestone for the country, though Britain retained significant influence through military bases and oil concessions. Faisal died the following year.