Nader Shah

Nader Shah, then a general for the Safavids, defeated a rebel army at Mihmandust in Khorasan. This victory established his military reputation and allowed him to become the leading military commander in the region. It was a key step in his rise to power.

Nader Shah defeated the Afghan Hotaki dynasty at the Battle of Damghan, driving them from Isfahan. He then restored the Safavid prince Tahmasp II to the throne as shah. This campaign ended Afghan rule in Persia and reestablished Safavid authority, with Nader as the de facto military ruler.

Nader Shah invaded the Mughal Empire and defeated the Mughal army at Karnal in northern India. The Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah surrendered. Nader Shah then entered Delhi, where he sacked the city and massacred thousands of inhabitants. He returned to Persia with immense plunder, including the Peacock Throne and the Koh-i-Noor diamond.

Nader Shah led a campaign into Central Asia, defeating the Khanate of Bukhara. He captured the city of Bukhara and forced the khan to submit. This campaign extended Persian influence into Transoxiana and secured the northern borders of his empire.

Nader Shah was assassinated in his sleep by a group of his own officers, including members of his Qizilbash guard. The assassination was motivated by his increasing paranoia, harsh rule, and demands for taxes. His death led to the collapse of the Afsharid dynasty and plunged Persia into civil war.