Ahmad Shah Durrani
In June 1747, four conspirators entered the royal enclosure at Quchan and assassinated Nader Shah. Ahmad Khan Abdali stood outside the tent with his regiments as chaos erupted inside. The news of the murder spread rapidly through the camp. Ahmad Shah drove away the Persian guards who attacked him despite being heavily outnumbered. He entered the dead ruler's tent and took the Koh-i-Noor diamond from the body. This moment marked the beginning of a new era for the Durrani tribesmen.
Ahmad Shah departed for Kandahar with his Uzbek ally Hajji Bi Ming. He resolved leadership disputes by forcing the former leader to step down. His forces grew to over six thousand men after he killed his uncle Abd al-Ghani Khan. The army continued moving through Khabushan and Kashmar. Supplies were accumulated before reaching Torbat-e Heydarieh. Adel Shah had dispatched a force to block the advance but was defeated at Tun and Farah.
A military convoy carrying annual tribute from Sindh was recovered on the way to Kandahar. Estimates of the convoy value ranged from three million to two hundred sixty million rupees. Mohammad Taqi Khan Shirazi joined Ahmad Shah and divided the wealth. Nasir Khan refused to cooperate and was imprisoned until paying an annual tribute of five hundred thousand rupees. The army swelled to eighteen thousand men including war elephants. Sindh entered Afghan suzerainty under these terms.
The battle of Lahore occurred on the 11th of January 1748. Mughal forces commanded by Shah Nawaz were defeated despite having a larger army. The Afghan regiments of Shah Nawaz defected during the engagement. Thousands were conscripted while the city was plundered. Ahmad Shah left Lahore with thirty thousand men on February 19 advancing on Delhi. He captured Sirhind before meeting Mughal forces at Manupur.
A disaster struck when ammunition stores caught fire and exploded incinerating one thousand men. The withdrawal from the battlefield forced a return to Afghanistan. A second invasion began in November 1748 when Ahmad Shah engaged Moin-ul-Mulk's army. Skirmishes continued until Moin-ul-Mulk ceded revenues of Gujrat Aurangabad Sialkot and Pasrur. These districts generated yearly revenues of 1.4 million rupees.
Between 1749 and 1750 Ahmad Shah launched his first campaign into Khorasan. Herat fell after a long siege in late 1750. The fortress of Nun near Mashhad surrendered after a short siege. Ahmad Shah remained at Mashhad until November 1750 when Shahrokh Shah surrendered personally. Large tribute was paid and family members released.
The siege of Nishapur resulted in
horrific casualties for the Afghans. Jafar Khan refused surrender despite having only a few thousand soldiers. Cannons breached the walls but defenders established a trap killing twelve thousand men. Thousands more died during the retreat across the frozen Hari Rud river. Pack animals were swept away by breaking ice.
A second Khorasan campaign began in May 1754 from Herat. Tabas and Tun were conquered between June and July 1754. A bloody battle occurred where both sides drew swords due to ammunition failure. Ali Murad Khan was killed routing the Persian army. Mashhad submitted on the 1st of December 1754. Shahrokh Shah was re-instated as ruler over Mashhad effective the 9th of May 1755.
Civil service roles were dominated by Qizilbash members since most Durrani elites were illiterate. The Qizilbash formed the major part of Ahmad Shah's bodyguard counterbalancing other leaders. Ethnic tension grew between the Qizilbash and the tribal council. Complications erupted after his own tribe was exempted from taxation.
Other Afghan tribes remained discontent being barred from administration roles. Revenue collection
rights were given to the highest bidder typically members of Ahmad Shah's tribe. These victors taxed freely driving landholders into debt. Many sold their lands or fled while Durranis bought the bankrupt properties. The administration functioned poorly due to these divisions.
Afghanistan was a relatively poor country during Ahmad Shah's reign. Warfare served as the primary economic engine for funding the treasury. Invasions provided wealth to reward nobility and sustain the state. Mahmud of Ghazni had invaded India to plunder obtaining wealth before him. Muhammad of Ghor also invaded India to establish political dominance through similar means.
The fourth invasion of India in 1756 yielded massive spoils. Contemporary writers estimate Afghans seized thirty million to three hundred million rupees worth of goods. Over twenty-eight thousand elephants camels and mules carried the loot back. Eighty thousand soldiers carried whatever they looted on foot or horseback.
Delhi's bazaars were sacked extracting tribute from Feroz Shah Kotla. Imad
ul-Mulk handed over gold and ornaments valued at ten million rupees plus three hundred thousand gold coins. Intizam-ud-Daulah surrendered assets including ten million rupees and one hundred wives. The recovered treasure included diamonds rubies pearls and emeralds. Two hundred golden candles sized like men were among the items taken.
He is typically compared to figures such as Marlborough Mahmud of Ghazni Babur and Nader Shah. Descriptions label him one of the greatest military leaders of eighteenth century Asia. Critics call him the greatest general of Asia of his time. Some sources name him one of the greatest conquerors in Asian history.
His death occurred in 1772 in Maruf after years of nonstop campaigning. He was buried in his own mausoleum in Kandahar. The Durrani Empire encompassed Afghanistan much of Pakistan Iranian Khorasan and parts of Northern India. His rule created one of the largest Islamic empires in the world spanning West Asia Central Asia and South Asia.
Common questions
When did Ahmad Shah Durrani die and where was he buried?
Ahmad Shah Durrani died in 1772 in Maruf. He was buried in his own mausoleum located in Kandahar.
What happened to Ahmad Shah Durrani in June 1747 at Quchan?
Four conspirators assassinated Nader Shah inside the royal enclosure at Quchan while Ahmad Shah drove away Persian guards outside. Ahmad Shah entered the dead ruler's tent and took the Koh-i-Noor diamond from the body.
How many men were killed when ammunition stores exploded during the battle of Lahore on the 11th of January 1748?
Ammunition stores caught fire and exploded incinerating one thousand men during the engagement. The disaster forced a withdrawal from the battlefield back to Afghanistan.
Which cities did Ahmad Shah conquer during his first campaign into Khorasan between 1749 and 1750?
Herat fell after a long siege in late 1750 and the fortress of Nun near Mashhad surrendered after a short siege. Shahrokh Shah surrendered personally in November 1750.
What economic engine funded the treasury during the reign of Ahmad Shah Durrani?
Warfare served as the primary economic engine for funding the treasury since Afghanistan was a relatively poor country. Invasions provided wealth to reward nobility and sustain the state through plundering India.