Sack of Delhi (1757)
Emperor Aurangzeb died on the 3rd of March 1707. His death marked the beginning of a long decline for the Mughal Empire. The empire faced numerous invasions from the Maratha Confederacy during this period. Internal conflicts over succession further weakened central authority. Adventurers like Nader Shah invaded Mughal territories and sacked Delhi. Following Nader Shah's death, his eastern domains were taken over by Ahmad Shah Durrani. He formed the Durrani Empire and centered his power base in Kandahar, Afghanistan. After three invasions by the Afghans, the Mughals lost numerous territories including Kashmir, Punjab, and Sindh.
Ahmad Shah accepted invitations to invade India in November 1756. He left Peshawar on the 15th of that month with an army of 80,000 men. Crossing Attock on the 26th, he reached Lahore on the 20th of December. The city was seized with little resistance. Jahan Khan led the advance guard which had already seized Sirhind, Karnal, and Panipat. The Marathas assembled a contingent of 3,400 men under Antaji Mankeshwar. They skirmished with the Afghans at Narela but were defeated. Losses for the Marathas totaled 100 men. Najib ud-Daula officially defected to the Afghans shortly after this defeat. Imad ul-Mulk surrendered not long after the battle.
Delhi experienced multiple invasions by the Afghans during the 18th century. Ahmad Shah Durrani entered Delhi on the 28th of January 1757. Many inhabitants fled or hid when they heard of his approach. Streets became completely deserted as people barricaded themselves inside their houses. The Afghan army was initially ordered not to sack the city. Houses outside the city walls were ravaged instead. On the 29th, bazaars were sacked and Jahan Khan's soldiers extracted tribute from Feroz Shah Kotla. A large fortress in Delhi fell into Afghan hands that day. Ahmad Shah minted coins bearing his name on the 30th of January.
Extortionate demands were placed upon the Mughal nobility following the entry into Delhi. Those suspected of concealing valuables were subjected to torture including foot whipping. Many thousands died or were crippled as a result of these methods. Others resorted to suicide rather than endure the pain. A tax was imposed on every household in Delhi. Intizam-ud-Daulah admitted his father had buried a fortune after being unable to produce required wealth. Sholapuri Begum revealed the location under threat of torture with iron pins. After three days of digging, Afghans recovered over 15 million rupees in cash. They also seized various goods including 200 golden candles the size of a man.
The massacres done by the Afghans throughout the campaign made the Yamuna River flow red with blood for two weeks. Over 28,000 elephants, camels, and mules carried Ahmad Shah's loot back to Afghanistan. His army numbered 80,000 men who carried whatever they took. Many Afghan cavalry returned on foot while loading loot onto their horses. Estimates from contemporary writers suggest the Afghans seized between 30 million and 300 million rupees worth of goods. Diamonds, rubies, pearls, and emeralds formed part of this massive haul. The sheer scale of extraction left the region economically devastated.
Mere months later, the army of the Bengal Subah were utterly defeated at the Battle of Plassey. This defeat began the rise of British power in India. Most Mughal troops along with some of the best from Bengal were forcibly deployed against the Afghans. The Afghan invasion had dire consequences for the already weakened empire. Political instability in the region combined with disruptions caused by the war. Access to South Asian resources and sepoy forces helped consolidate a base in Bengal. It has been argued that British naval strength alone did not account for their success in India.
Common questions
When did Ahmad Shah Durrani enter Delhi during the 1757 sack?
Ahmad Shah Durrani entered Delhi on the 28th of January 1757. The city was seized with little resistance as many inhabitants fled or hid from his approach.
How much money and loot did the Afghans take from Delhi in 1757?
Afghan forces recovered over 15 million rupees in cash and seized goods worth between 30 million and 300 million rupees. They also took diamonds, rubies, pearls, emeralds, and 200 golden candles the size of a man.
What happened to the Yamuna River after the Afghan invasion of Delhi?
The Yamuna River flowed red with blood for two weeks due to massacres committed by the Afghans throughout the campaign. Over 28,000 elephants, camels, and mules carried the stolen loot back to Afghanistan.
Who led the advance guard that seized Sirhind and Karnal before entering Delhi?
Jahan Khan led the advance guard which had already seized Sirhind, Karnal, and Panipat before Ahmad Shah Durrani reached Delhi. He extracted tribute from Feroz Shah Kotla on the 29th of January 1757.
Why were torture methods used against Mughal nobility during the sack of Delhi?
Extortionate demands were placed upon the Mughal nobility following the entry into Delhi to force them to reveal concealed valuables. Those suspected of hiding wealth faced foot whipping or other forms of torture until they complied.