Hussain Muhammad Ershad vs Maurice of Nassau

On March 24, 1982, Lieutenant General Hussain Muhammad Ershad seized power in a bloodless coup, suspending the constitution and imposing martial law. He cited corruption and economic mismanagement under the civilian government as justification.

Ershad founded the Jatiya Party in 1986 as his political vehicle to legitimize his rule. The party won parliamentary elections that year, though the polls were widely boycotted by opposition parties and criticized as rigged.

Faced with a massive pro-democracy uprising led by the Awami League and BNP, Ershad resigned on December 6, 1990. He handed power to a caretaker government, ending his eight-year military rule and restoring parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh.

Maurice captured the city of Breda from the Spanish using a covert operation where soldiers hid inside a peat barge. This victory was a major success in the Dutch Revolt, boosting morale and demonstrating Maurice's innovative military tactics.

Maurice of Nassau, with his cousin William Louis, reformed the Dutch army by introducing standardized drill, volley fire, and smaller tactical units. These innovations, based on Roman military principles, increased battlefield effectiveness and were adopted across Europe.

Maurice led the Dutch army to a tactical victory over the Spanish at the Battle of Nieuwpoort. Although the battle was indecisive strategically, it proved the effectiveness of his military reforms and secured Dutch control over the coastal region.

Maurice, as Stadtholder, agreed to the Twelve Years' Truce with Spain, effectively recognizing the Dutch Republic's independence. The truce allowed the Republic to consolidate its power and economy, though Maurice opposed it, preferring to continue the war.