Shah Shuja Durrani vs Sophia Alekseyevna

Shah Shuja Durrani became Emir of Afghanistan after overthrowing his brother Mahmud Shah. His first reign lasted from 1803 to 1809. He attempted to centralize power but faced opposition from tribal leaders and was eventually deposed by Mahmud Shah.

After being deposed, Shah Shuja fled to British India where he lived in exile for over 30 years. He received a pension from the British East India Company and became a key figure in British plans to intervene in Afghanistan, eventually being used as a puppet ruler.

Shah Shuja was restored to the Afghan throne by the British East India Company during the First Anglo-Afghan War. He was installed as a puppet ruler in Kabul but lacked popular support. He was assassinated in 1842 by Afghan rebels after the British withdrawal.

Sophia Alekseyevna became regent for her younger brothers Ivan V and Peter I after the Moscow Uprising of 1682. She ruled Russia for seven years, becoming the first woman to effectively govern the country since the 16th century, with the support of the streltsy and Prince Golitsyn.

Sophia's government signed the Treaty of Perpetual Peace with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, confirming Russian control over left-bank Ukraine, Kiev, and Zaporizhia. The treaty also committed Russia to join the Holy League against the Ottoman Empire, shifting Russian foreign policy.

Sophia ordered two military campaigns against the Crimean Khanate, led by Prince Vasily Golitsyn. Both campaigns failed due to logistical problems and scorched-earth tactics, with the Russian army retreating without engaging the main Tatar forces, damaging Sophia's prestige.

Sophia was overthrown by Peter I, who had come of age and gathered support from loyal troops. She was forced to retire to the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow, where she was kept under guard until her death in 1704, ending her regency and political influence.