Nader Shah
Nader Qoli Beg was born in the fortress of Dastgerd, located in the northern valleys of Khorasan province. His father Emam Qoli worked as a herdsman and possibly made coats to survive. The family lived a nomadic life among the Turkoman Afshar tribe. When Nader turned thirteen years old, his father died and left him with no income source. He gathered sticks for firewood and transported them to market to feed himself and his mother. This early deprivation shaped his character but did not make him compassionate toward the poor. Legend states that around 1704, marauding Uzbeks invaded Khorasan and killed many peasants. Nader and his mother were captured into slavery during this raid. His mother died while held captive. Another account suggests he convinced Turkmens to release him by promising future help. He returned to Khorasan in 1708 after escaping captivity. At age fifteen, he enlisted as a musketeer under a local governor. He rose through military ranks quickly and became the governor's right-hand man.
The Safavid dynasty ruled Iran since 1502 but collapsed in the early eighteenth century. Weak emperor Soltan Hoseyn faced rebellion from Ghilzai Afghans led by Mahmud Hotaki. In 1722, Afghan forces defeated Shah's army at Battle of Gulnabad and besieged Isfahan until starvation forced abdication. Ottoman Empire and Russian Empire seized Iranian territories during the chaos. Russia captured Dagestan, Baku, Gilan, Mazandaran, and Astrabad between 1722 and 1723. Ottomans took Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. Nader initially submitted to Afghan governor Malek Mahmud in Mashhad before rebelling. He built a small army and joined forces with Tahmasp II, son of deposed Shah. Tahmasp fled to Qajar tribe for support. Nader discovered Fath Ali Khan was conspiring with Malek Mahmud and reported this treason. Tahmasp executed Fath Ali Khan and appointed Nader as chief of his army. Nader adopted title Tahmasp Qoli meaning Servant of Tahmasp. By late 1726 he recaptured Mashhad. In May 1729 he defeated Abdali Afghans near Herat. Many Abdalis subsequently joined his ranks. September 1729 brought victory over new Afghan leader Ashraf at Damghan. November 1729 saw decisive defeat at Murchakhort where Ashraf fled and later murdered by followers. Nader entered Isfahan in December 1729 but plundered citizens to pay his troops.
Nader held a grand meeting called qoroltai on Moghan plain between January and March 1736. Summonses went out in November 1735 and attendees arrived starting January 1736. The Moghan plain offered abundant fodder suitable for large gatherings. Prominent men from military, clergy, and nobility attended the assembly. Hasan-Ali Beg Bestami remained silent when asked about becoming king until Nader pressed him. Hasan-Ali suggested gathering all state leaders to sign consent documents. Writers including court historian Mirza Mehdi Khan Astarabadi drafted orders for attendance. On the 8th of March 1736 astrologers selected date for coronation ceremony. An exceptionally large assembly witnessed Nader crowned Shah of Iran. He cut deals with notables promising they would refrain from cursing Omar and Uthman. They agreed to avoid beating themselves during Ashura festival and accept Sunni practices as legitimate. Nader's name appeared on coins and Friday prayers from this point forward. A new royal seal declared God reinstated state power in Iranian Nader's name. This marked end of two centuries Safavid rule and beginning of Afsharid dynasty.
In 1738 Nader conquered Kandahar ending Hotaki dynasty resistance. His focus shifted toward Mughal Empire which was falling apart internally. Ruler Muhammad Shah could not stop disobedient nobles or expanding Maratha forces. Nader demanded Afghan rebels be handed over but Mughal emperor refused. He crossed border using pretext of harboring enemies. A small contingent executed flank march through Khyber Pass mountains despite being outnumbered two-to-one. Forces captured Ghazni, Kabul, Peshawar, Sindh, and Lahore before year end. Erekle II led Georgian contingent alongside Nader's main force. Mughal ruler raised army of approximately three hundred thousand men to confront him. Battle of Karnal occurred on the 13th of February 1739 where Nader crushed six times larger enemy force within three hours. After victory he entered Delhi following capture of Mohammad Shah. Rumor spread that Nader had been assassinated causing Indians to attack Iranian troops killing nine hundred soldiers by midday. Furious response ordered city sack resulting in twenty thousand to thirty thousand deaths among civilians. Ten thousand women and children taken as slaves forcing Mohammad Shah to beg for mercy. Peacock Throne and treasures worth seven hundred million rupees looted including Koh-i-Noor diamond. Iranian troops left Delhi beginning May 1739 after ceding eastern territories back to Mughals. Booty loaded onto seven hundred elephants four thousand camels twelve thousand horses.
Safavids enforced Shia Islam as state religion but Nader replaced it with Ja'fari school more compatible with Sunni law. He believed Safavid Shiaism intensified conflict with Ottoman Empire. His army included Shia Muslims Sunni Muslims Christians Kurds Uzbeks Afghans Georgians Armenians and others. Nader banned certain offensive Shia practices like cursing first three caliphs personally indifferent toward religion. French Jesuit physician reported difficulty determining which faith Nader followed suggesting many knew him best said he had none. Ottomans refused acknowledging Ja'farism as fifth madhhab but allowed pilgrimages to Mecca. Revenue from pilgrimage trade interested Nader significantly. Primary aim weakened Safavids since Shia Islam supported dynasty strongly. He strangled a Shia mullah heard expressing support for Safavids. Introduced kolah-e Naderi hat featuring four peaks symbolizing either four caliphs or Persian India Turkestan Khwarezm territories. Eight Muslim scholars three European priests five Armenian priests translated Koran Gospels in June 1741 presented Qazvin. Nader not impressed by finished translations. Money going to Shia mullahs diverted instead to fund army operations.
After Indian campaign zenith health declined markedly making temper worse. Son Reza Qoli Mirza ruled Iran while father absent behaving high-handedly cruelly keeping peace domestically. Rumors of death prompted Reza preparing assuming crown murdering former Shah Tahmasp family including nine-year-old Abbas III. Reza's wife Tahmasp sister committed suicide upon hearing news. Nader reprimanded son taking him on Transoxiana expedition. In 1740 conquered Khanate of Khiva forcing Bukhara submission. Wanted Reza marry khan elder daughter descendant Genghis Khan but Reza refused marrying girl himself. Suspected assassination attempt in Mazanderan forest 1741 lightly wounded shot taken during passing through forest. Began suspecting son behind attempt confining him Tehran. Illness worsened losing initiative against Lezgin tribes guerrilla warfare tactics frustrating Iranian reconquest efforts. Though managing take most Dagestan effective guerrilla warfare made region short-lived reconquest. Accused son behind Mazanderan assassination attempt Reza angrily protested innocence. Ordered eyes brought platter after blinding punishment instantly regretted crying out What is a father What is a son. Executed nobles witnessing blinding started ordering assassinations suspected enemies large numbers. Soldiers executed one hundred fifty monks Monastery Saint Elijah refusing conversion Islam.
June 1747 convinced personal guard intended assassination summoning Ahmad Shah Durrani loyal commanders. Ordered Ahmad assemble regiments arrest guards giving permission kill resisting ones first light chose sleep favorite wife outside royal tent where accused guards presumed night duty Ahmad stationed camp defenses. Plan leaked forcing conspirators act prematurely four entered enclosure smashing obstacles penetrating sleeping quarters ill-starred monarch noise woke shouting Who goes there Where sword Bring weapons! Assassins struck fear running straight chiefs murder-conspiracy calming fears making return tent Muhammad Quli Khan ran striking great blow felling ground two three followed suit wretched monarch covered blood attempting weak get up crying Why want kill Spare life all mine yours Salah Khan ran severing head dropping waiting soldier perished wealthiest monarch earth succeeded nephew Ali Qoli renamed Adel Shah righteous king possibly involved plot deposed within year struggle between Adel Ibrahim Nader grandson Shah Rukh provincial governors declared independence establishing states entire empire fell anarchy Oman Uzbek khanates Bukhara Khiva regained independence Ottoman Empire regained Western Armenia Mesopotamia territories Karim Khan founded Zand dynasty ruling Iran by 1760 Erekle Teimuraz kings Kakheti Kartli made kings 1744 capitalized instability declaring de facto independence unified eastern Georgia maintaining autonomy until Iranian Qajar dynasty advent rest Caucasus comprising Azerbaijan Armenia Dagestan broke various khanates Ahmad Shah Durrani proclaimed foundation modern Afghanistan lost Bahrain House Khalifa during Invasion Bani Utbah 1783.
Common questions
When was Nader Shah born and where did he grow up?
Nader Qoli Beg was born in the fortress of Dastgerd located in the northern valleys of Khorasan province. His family lived a nomadic life among the Turkoman Afshar tribe before his father died when he turned thirteen years old.
How did Nader Shah become Shah of Iran and what dynasty did he establish?
Nader Shah became Shah of Iran on the 8th of March 1736 after being crowned at a grand meeting called qoroltai on Moghan plain. This event marked the end of two centuries Safavid rule and the beginning of the Afsharid dynasty.
What happened during the Battle of Karnal in February 1739?
The Battle of Karnal occurred on the 13th of February 1739 where Nader crushed an enemy force six times larger than his own within three hours. Following this victory Iranian troops entered Delhi and looted treasures worth seven hundred million rupees including the Koh-i-Noor diamond.
Why did Nader Shah change the state religion from Shia Islam to Ja'fari school?
Nader Shah replaced Shia Islam with the Ja'fari school because he believed Safavid Shiaism intensified conflict with the Ottoman Empire. He aimed to weaken the Safavids since Shia Islam supported that dynasty strongly while also seeking revenue from pilgrimage trade.
When was Nader Shah assassinated and who succeeded him?
Nader Shah was assassinated in June 1747 when conspirators broke into his sleeping quarters and killed him. His nephew Ali Qoli renamed Adel Shah succeeded him as king but was deposed within a year leading to the collapse of the empire.