Nadir Shah came to India?
VerifiedAnswer: 1739 from Iran
Explanation:
Nadir Shah was a powerful Persian ruler who invaded India in 1739, marking one of the most devastating foreign invasions in Indian history. He was the founder of the Afsharid dynasty in Iran and had already established himself as a formidable military leader through his conquests across Persia and Central Asia.
The invasion was primarily motivated by the wealth of the Mughal Empire, particularly the legendary treasures of Delhi. At this time, the Mughal Empire under Emperor Muhammad Shah had become significantly weakened due to internal conflicts, administrative corruption, and the rise of regional powers like the Marathas and various provincial governors.
Nadir Shah's military campaign began when he crossed into India through the Khyber Pass with a well-trained army of approximately 55,000 soldiers. His forces were disciplined, experienced from previous campaigns, and equipped with modern artillery. The Persian army moved swiftly through the northwestern regions of India, facing little effective resistance from the declining Mughal forces.
The decisive confrontation occurred at the Battle of Karnal on February 24, 1739. Despite having a larger army, the Mughal forces were poorly coordinated and suffered a crushing defeat. Emperor Muhammad Shah was captured during this battle, which effectively ended any organized resistance to Nadir Shah's advance toward Delhi.
Following his victory at Karnal, Nadir Shah entered Delhi in March 1739. Initially, he maintained relative peace in the city, but tensions escalated when rumors spread that he had been killed, leading to attacks on Persian soldiers by Delhi residents. This triggered Nadir Shah's anger, resulting in a massacre that lasted several hours and claimed thousands of lives.
The most significant consequence of this invasion was the massive plunder of Delhi's wealth. Nadir Shah seized enormous treasures, including the famous Peacock Throne and the Koh-i-Noor diamond. The total wealth looted was so substantial that it reportedly freed Iran from taxation for three years. This economic devastation severely weakened the Mughal Empire's financial foundation.
After approximately two months in India, Nadir Shah withdrew his forces, taking with him not only material wealth but also skilled craftsmen and artisans. His invasion exposed the military and administrative weaknesses of the Mughal Empire, accelerating its decline and paving the way for further invasions and the eventual rise of regional powers and European colonial influence in India.
