Nader Shah

c. 1688 – 20 June 1747

Nader Shah Afshar (c. 1688-1747) was the Shah of Iran from 1736 to 1747 and founder of the Afsharid dynasty, often described as one of the most powerful military commanders in Iranian history. Rising from humble origins in Khorasan, he expelled Afghan and Ottoman occupiers, reunified Iran, and led a devastating invasion of Mughal India that included the sack of Delhi. His increasingly despotic later rule ended when he was assassinated by his own officers in 1747.

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Life events

Born into the Afshar tribe in Khorasan
c. 1688

He was born into a humble family of the Turkoman Afshar tribe in northern Khorasan; his exact birth date is uncertain.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Entered the service of Safavid claimant Tahmasp II
1726

During the chaos following the Afghan overthrow of the Safavids, he became the chief military commander for the Safavid pretender Tahmasp II.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Drove the Afghans from Isfahan and restored the Safavid throne
November 1729

After defeating the Ghilzai Afghans at Damghan and Murche-Khort, he recaptured the capital Isfahan and reinstated Tahmasp II.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Deposed Tahmasp II and became regent of Iran
1732

After Tahmasp's disastrous campaign against the Ottomans, Nader deposed him in favor of the infant Abbas III and ruled as regent.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Crowned Shah of Iran on the Mughan plain
8 March 1736

An assembly of Iranian notables proclaimed him shah, ending Safavid rule and founding the Afsharid dynasty.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Captured Kandahar, completing the reconquest of Afghan territories
24 March 1738

His capture of Kandahar from the Ghilzais consolidated Iranian control of the eastern frontier and opened the road to India.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Crushed the Mughal army at the Battle of Karnal
24 February 1739

His outnumbered forces routed Emperor Muhammad Shah's much larger Mughal army in a battle lasting only a few hours.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Sacked Delhi and carried off the Peacock Throne and Koh-i-Noor diamond
22 March 1739

After a massacre in the Mughal capital, he seized immense treasures, including the Peacock Throne and the Koh-i-Noor and Darya-ye Noor diamonds.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Grew increasingly despotic after an assassination attempt
1741

Following a 1741 attempt on his life, he had his own son Reza Qoli Mirza blinded and his rule became marked by heavy taxation and brutal reprisals.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Assassinated by his own officers at Fathabad in Khorasan
20 June 1747

A group of his officers, fearing for their lives, killed him in his tent, after which his empire rapidly disintegrated.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓