Nader Shah's invasion of India
By the end of 1736, Nader Shah had consolidated his rule over Iran and dealt with internal uprisings that had developed over three years. He shifted focus to the Afghan Ghilji tribe reorganized by leader Hussain Hotak. By April 1737, Nader established a camp near Kandahar and ordered construction of a city named Naderabad. He defeated Hussain Khan and captured Kandahar, ending Ghilji dominance. On the 21st of May 1738, Nader left Naderabad and marched toward Kabul. At first, he told Mughals he only moved into their domain seeking runaway Afghans. Contemporary Indian sources suggest Mughal vassals plotting against their suzerain were behind the invasion. Iranologist Laurence Lockhart noted Nader could fund expansion "with spoils of India" because past campaigns caused famine in Persia. Another scholar, Ernest S. Tucker, argued Iran faced financial crisis due to declining exports reducing state revenues. Michael Axworthy stated Nader needed recovery time and cash to pay his army before attacking Ottomans. By early 18th century, Mughals struggled politically after Emperor Aurangzeb died in 1707. India fragmented into kingdoms nominally loyal to Muhammad Shah but acting independently. The Maratha Empire under Bajirao I challenged Muslim political power beliefs. The subcontinent remained prosperous yet divided, making it an alluring target for a conqueror short on finance.
Nader crossed Mughal territory at Mukhur spring and halted at Qarabagh south of Ghazni. A detachment led by his son Nasrullah attacked Afghans of Ghorband and Bamian. When Ghazni governor fled upon hearing of Nader's approach, city scholars and rich men submitted to him when he entered on the 31st of May. The other detachment defeated Afghans, pardoning surrenderers while punishing resistors cruelly. With flank secure, Nader marched on Kabul. Chief men tried peaceful submission but Sharza Khan resisted. On the 10th of June, Nader reached the city as garrison sallied out to attack Persians who retreated to safe distance for siege. He arrived on 11th and surveyed defenses from atop Black Rock. Garrison attacked again but were driven out by Persian Army. City was besieged for week until tower of Aqa-bin collapsed on the 19th of June, causing citadel capitulation. Nader settled in Kabul handling province affairs. He received word Mughal Emperor would not receive his letter nor let ambassador leave. Envoy sent to imperial court expressed only wish to rid Mughals of Afghans who caused more damage than India itself. That envoy turned back at Jalalabad then murdered by neighboring chieftain. While events unfolded, Nader left Kabul due to lack of supplies starting for Gandamak on the 25th of August. Afsharid force reached Jalalabad and sacked city on the 7th of September in revenge for courier murder. Nader sent son Reza to Iran on the 3rd of November.
On the 6th of November march through India resumed when Nasir Khan heard of invasion. As governor of Kabul Subah he assembled some 20,000 poorly trained tribal levies in Peshawar. These forces proved no match for Nader's veteran soldiery. Nader marched swiftly through steep path outflanking Mughal army at Khyber Pass before annihilating it. Three days after battle, Nader occupied Peshawar without resistance. On the 12th of December they resumed marching building bridge over Indus River by Attock. They crossed Chenab near Wazirabad on the 8th of January 1739. In Battle of Karnal on the 24th of February 1739, Nader led army to victory over Mughals. Muhammad Shah surrendered entering Delhi together with Persian leader. Keys to capital surrendered to Nader who entered city on the 20th of March 1739. Next day Nader held durbar in Delhi. The rapid advance demonstrated superior military organization against fragmented opposition forces struggling to coordinate defense across vast territory.
Afsharid occupation caused price increases within city. City administrator attempted fixing prices lower level sending troops to market at Paharganj enforcing them. Local merchants refused accepting lower prices resulting violence where some Afsharid troops assaulted and killed. When rumor spread Nader assassinated by female guard at Red Fort Indians attacked killing 3,000 Afsharid troops during riots breaking night of the 21st of March. Furious at killings Nader ordered qatl-e-aam massacre of Delhi. Morning of the 22nd of March Nader sat at Sunehri Masjid of Roshan-ud-Daulah. He unsheathed great battle sword grand flourish accompanied rolling drums blaring trumpets receiving wild cheers from Afsharid troops present. This signaled start onslaught carnage as fully armed Afsharid Army turned swords guns unarmed defenseless civilians. Soldiers given full license doing as pleased promised share wealth while city plundered. Areas like Chandni Chowk Dariba Kalan Fatehpuri Faiz Bazar Hauz Kazi Johri Bazar Lahori Ajmeri Kabuli gates densely populated Hindus Muslims soon covered corpses. Muslim inhabitants resorted killing women children themselves rather submit soldiers. Events recorded chronicles Tarikh-e-Hindi Rustam Ali Bayan-e-Waqai Abdul Karim Tazkira Anand Ram Mukhlis. Muhammad Shah forced beg mercy finally after many hours desperate pleading Nader relented signaling halt bloodshed sheathing battle sword once again.
City sacked several days enormous fine 20 million rupees levied people Delhi. Muhammad Shah handed keys Imperial Treasury losing Peacock Throne to Nader serving symbol Persian imperial might. Among treasure trove fabulous jewels gained Koh-i-Noor Darya-i-Noor diamonds now part British Iranian National Jewels respectively. Nader and Afsharid troops left Delhi the 16th of May 1739 before ceding territories east Indus overrun back Muhammad Shah. Sack made easier both parties originally from Persian cultures. Return journey saw Sikhs seize large amount booty freeing slaves captivity unable pursue successfully oppressed scorching heat May overloaded booty. Yield plunder seized Delhi so great stopped taxation Persia period three years following return. The extraction represented unprecedented transfer of wealth from one empire another reshaping regional economic balances permanently.
Governor Sindh did not comply with demands. Victory against crumbling Mughal Empire East meant afford turn West facing Ottomans. Ottoman Sultan Mahmud I initiated Ottoman-Persian War 1743-1746 Muhammad Shah closely cooperated Ottomans until death 1748. Axworthy claimed Indian campaign alerted East India Company extreme weakness Mughal Empire possibility expanding fill power vacuum. Without Nader eventual British rule India would come later different form perhaps never at all important global effects. Nasrollah married Mughal princess after sack. The invasion accelerated colonial expansion shifting balance power between Persia Ottoman Empire fundamentally altering South Asian political landscape for centuries to follow.
Common questions
When did Nader Shah begin his invasion of India?
Nader Shah began his invasion of India on the 6th of November 1738 when he resumed his march through Indian territory. He had previously consolidated power in Iran and defeated Afghan tribes to secure his western flank before entering Mughal domains.
What caused Nader Shah to invade the Mughal Empire in 1739?
Financial crisis in Persia due to declining exports and famine drove Nader Shah to seek spoils from India to fund his army. Contemporary sources also suggest Mughal vassals plotting against their suzerain were behind the invasion while political fragmentation made the subcontinent an alluring target for a conqueror short on finance.
How many Afsharid troops died during the Delhi riots on the 21st of March 1739?
Indians killed 3,000 Afsharid troops during riots that broke out on the night of the 21st of March 1739 after rumors spread about Nader Shah's assassination. This event triggered the qatl-e-aam massacre ordered by Nader Shah on the morning of the 22nd of March.
Which famous diamonds did Nader Shah take from the Mughal treasury in 1739?
Nader Shah seized the Koh-i-Noor and Darya-i-Noor diamonds among other treasures when he entered Delhi on the 20th of March 1739. These jewels now form part of British and Iranian National Jewels respectively following the sack of the city.
What was the result of the Battle of Karnal fought on the 24th of February 1739?
The Battle of Karnal resulted in a decisive victory for Nader Shah over the Mughal forces led by Muhammad Shah. The Persian army annihilated the Mughal defenses allowing Nader to enter Delhi and demand surrender keys from the emperor.