Afsharid Iran
In November 1688, a boy named Nadr Qoli was born into a winter camp in the mountains north of Mashad. His family belonged to the Qereqlu branch of the Afshar Turkmen tribe, a semi-nomadic group settled in Khorasan. The father worked as a herdsman with lowly but respectable status within the community. Nader's mother tongue was a dialect of the Turkic language spoken by tribes in Iran and Central Asia. He learned Persian later as he grew older, yet preferred his native speech for daily life unless dealing with those who knew only Persian. This humble beginning stood in stark contrast to the empire he would eventually forge. The Afshars had originally migrated from Turkestan to Azerbaijan during the thirteenth century. In the early seventeenth century, Abbas the Great moved many Afshars from Azerbaijan to Khorasan to defend the northeastern borders against Uzbeks. They settled there permanently, forming the foundation of what would become a powerful dynasty.
The year 1722 marked a turning point when Mahmud Hotak overthrew the weakened Safavid shah Soltan Hoseyn. Ottoman and Russian forces simultaneously seized Iranian lands across the Caucasus and northern mainland Iran. Russia took swaths of territory in the North Caucasus and Transcaucasia while Ottomans invaded from the west. By the Treaty of Constantinople in 1724, they agreed to divide the conquered areas between themselves. Nader joined forces with Tahmasp II, son of the deposed shah, to lead resistance against the Ghilzai Afghans. He drove Ashraf Khan out of the capital in 1729 and established Tahmasp on the throne again. While Nader fought in the east, Tahmasp waged a disastrous campaign in the Caucasus allowing Ottomans to retake most lost territory. Displeased, Nader had Tahmasp deposed in favor of his infant son Abbas III in 1732. Four years later after recapturing most lost lands, Nader felt confident enough to proclaim himself shah at a ceremony on the Mughan plain. The Russians ceded taken territories through treaties signed in Resht in 1732 and Ganja in 1735. Ottoman armies were expelled from western Iran and the rest of the Caucasus. The resulting Treaty of Constantinople forced Ottomans to confirm Iranian suzerainty over the region.
In 1738, Nader Shah besieged and destroyed Kandahar, the last Hotak seat of power, establishing Naderabad nearby. His thoughts turned toward the wealthy but crumbling Mughal Empire based in Delhi. Muhammad Shah ruled India but was powerless to reverse disintegration caused by disobedient nobles and Hindu Maratha advances. When Nader asked for Afghan rebels to be handed over, the Mughal emperor refused. He used this pretext to cross the border into militarily weak yet extremely wealthy territory. A small contingent took a daunting flank march through nearly impassable mountain passes near Khyber Pass. They defeated enemy forces positioned at the mouth of the pass despite being outnumbered two-to-one. This led to capture of Ghazni, Kabul, Peshawar, Sindh, and Lahore. Erekle II, a loyal Georgian subject who would later become king of eastern Georgia, led a Georgian contingent as part of Nader's force. Crossing the Indus River before year end, news of swift successes caused consternation in Delhi. Muhammad Shah summoned an overwhelming force of some three hundred thousand men marching north. On the 13th of February 1739, Nader crushed the Mughal army in less than three hours at Battle of Karnal. After victory, he captured Mohammad Shah and entered Delhi. Rumors of assassination prompted Indians to attack Iranian troops. Furious, Nader ordered soldiers to plunder and sack the city. During one day on March 22, twenty thousand to thirty thousand Indians were killed forcing Mohammad Shah to beg for mercy. The Peacock Throne became a symbol of Iranian imperial might after being taken along with treasures worth seven hundred million rupees. Among jewels gained were Koh-i-Noor and Daria-i-Noor diamonds.
Safavids introduced Shi'a Islam as state religion of Iran before Nader's rise. Though brought up as Shi'a, he sympathized with Sunni faith gaining power pushing into Ottoman Empire. Belief that Safavid Shi'ism intensified conflict with Sunni Ottomans drove his religious reforms. Army included mix of Shi'a and Sunni plus notable minority of Christians including Qizilbash, Uzbeks, Afghans, Christian Georgians, and Armenians. He wanted Iran adopt form of Shi'a Islam more acceptable to Sunnis calling it Ja'fari honoring sixth Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq. Certain offensive practices like cursing first three caliphs were banned personally. French Jesuit physician reported difficulty knowing which religion followed saying many knew best said he had none. Hope existed that Ja'farism accepted as fifth school mazhab allowing pilgrims go hajj within Ottoman territory. Ottomans refused acknowledge Ja'farism yet allowed Iranian pilgrims perform pilgrimage. Primary aim was weakening Safavids since radical Shi'a Islam always major element support dynasty. Chief mullah strangled after expressing support for Safavids. Reforms included introduction kolah-e Naderi hat with four peaks symbolizing first four caliphs. Nader consciously avoided using color green associated with Shia Islam and Safavid dynasty.
Assassination of Nader Shah by faction officers in 1747 caused powerful army fracture leading state collapse. Country plunged into decades civil war despite numerous pretenders attempting regain control entire nation. Iran remained fractured political entity turmoil until campaigns Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar reunified nation toward very end eighteenth century. Nader's nephew Ali Qoli seized throne proclaiming himself Adel Shah The Just King ordering execution all sons grandsons exception thirteen-year-old Shahrokh son Reza Qoli. Meanwhile Ahmad Shah Abdali former treasurer declared independence founding Durrani Empire losing eastern territories becoming part Afghanistan successor-state Durrani Empire. Northern territories fate differed Erekle II Teimuraz II kings Kakheti Kartli made kings 1744 capitalized eruption instability declaring de facto independence. Erekle assumed control Kartli after Teimuraz death unifying two Kingdom Kartli-Kakheti first Georgian ruler three centuries preside politically unified eastern Georgia remaining autonomous through Zand period. Many rest Caucasus comprising modern Azerbaijan Armenia Dagestan broke away various khanates staying vassals subjects Iranian shah until advent Zands Qajars fully reincorporated eventually permanently lost course nineteenth century Imperial Russia through Russo-Persian Wars. Adel sent brother Ebrahim secure capital Isfahan setting rival defeating Adel blinding taking throne reigning less than year. Group freed Shahrokh prison Mashhad proclaiming him shah October 1748. Ebrahim defeated died captivity 1750 Adel also put death request Nader widow. Shahrokh briefly deposed favor puppet ruler Soleyman II restored throne supporters reigned Mashhad territory mostly confined city environs facing Durrani invasions Khorasan subjugated Ahmad second campaign.
Shahrokh reigned in Mashhad from 1750s territory mostly confined city environs facing Durrani invasions Khorasan subjugated Ahmad second campaign. In 1796 Mohammad Khan Qajar founder Qajar dynasty seized Mashhad torturing Shahrokh reveal whereabouts Nader treasures. Shahrokh died injuries soon after ending Afsharid dynasty. One son Nader Mirza revolted 1797 upon death Agha Mohammad Khan crushed executed April 1803. Shahrokh descendants continue into twenty-first century under Afshar Naderi surname. Dynasty finally overthrown 1796 by Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar founding Qajar Empire reestablishing Iranian suzerainty previously lost regions. After death most empire divided between Zands Durranis Georgians Khanate Kalat Caucasian khanates Afsharid rule confined small local state Khorasan. This marked twilight Safavid power launching pad Afshar Turkoman commander Nadir Shah. His ruthless ambition energy military brilliance cynicism cruelty defined era spanning mid eighteenth century. At height ruled modern Iran Caucasus Afghanistan Uzbekistan Central Asia Arabia Indian subcontinent Iraq Turkey reaching greatest extent since Sasanian Empire.
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Common questions
When was Nader Shah born and what tribe did he belong to?
Nader Qoli was born in November 1688 into the Qereqlu branch of the Afshar Turkmen tribe. His family lived as herders in a winter camp north of Mashad before he rose to power.
What happened during the Battle of Karnal on the 13th of February 1739?
On the 13th of February 1739, Nader crushed the Mughal army at the Battle of Karnal in less than three hours. This victory allowed him to capture Delhi and seize treasures including the Peacock Throne and Koh-i-Noor diamond.
How many men were in the Afsharid military force at its height?
At the height of his power, Shahanshah commanded an army of three hundred seventy-five thousand fighting men. This force constituted the single most powerful military entity of its time.
Why did Nader Shah attempt religious reforms regarding Ja'fari Islam?
Nader Shah sought to introduce Ja'fari Islam to weaken Safavid Shi'a influence and gain acceptance from Sunni Ottomans for pilgrimages. He banned offensive practices like cursing the first three caliphs while avoiding green colors associated with the Safavid dynasty.
When did the Afsharid dynasty officially end and who overthrew it?
The Afsharid dynasty ended in 1796 when Mohammad Khan Qajar seized Mashhad and executed Shahrokh. Agha Mohammad Khan founded the Qajar Empire shortly after ending the rule of the last Afsharid shah.