Liberation of Isfahan
Liberation of Isfahan | |||||||
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Part of Nader's Campaigns | |||||||
Royal Square, Isfahan during the eighteenth century | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Safavid loyalists | Hotaki dynasty | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Nader | Ashraf Hotaki |
- v
- t
- e
- Battle of Gulnabad
- Siege of Isfahan
- Sangan
- Sabzevar
Afghan Campaigns
- 1st Afghan Campaign
- Kafer Qal'eh
- Herat 1729
- 2nd Afghan Campaign
- Qandahar
- Damghan
- Khwar pass
- Murche-Khort
- Isfahan
- Zarghan
First Ottoman War
- West Persian Campaign
- Tahmasp's Campaign
- Mesopotamian Campaign
- Siege of Baghdad
- Samarra
- Kirkuk
- Caucasus Campaign
- Ganja
- Siege of Iravan
- Khyber Pass
- Battle of Karnal
- Sack of Delhi
- Sindh Expedition
- Battle of Chenab (1739)
Second Ottoman War
- Siege of Mosul
- Siege of Kars
- Battle of Kars
Rebellions & Civil War
- Rebellion of Sheikh Ahmad Madani
- Bakhtiyari Rebellions
- Rebellion of 1733
- Kartli Revolt of 1736
- Derajat Rebellion
- Balkh Revolt of 1741
- Kish mutiny
- Revolt of Sam Mirza
- Khoy Revolt of 1743-46
- Kartli Revolt
- Fars Rebellion of 1744
- Qajar revolt of 1744
- Kerman Revolt of 1746
- Sistan Uprising of 1746
- Muscat Uprising of 1746-47
- Garmsirat Revolts of 1746-47
- Zafaranlu Uprising of 1747
The liberation of Isfahan was a direct result of the Battle of Murche-Khort in which the Persian army under Nader Shah attacked and routed Ashraf Hotak's Afghan army.[1][2] The day after Murche-Khort on November 16, 1729 Nader marched his army into Isfahan where the looting and mob violence that had gripped the city in the chaotic aftermath of Ashraf's departure ceased immediately. Order was restored with many of the Afghans hiding throughout the city being dragged through the streets and massacred without mercy in reprisals. The tomb of Mahmud Hotak was also another target of the mob's rage, being demolished and later becoming home to a public toilet.
Tahmasp II regains the Safavid capital
On December 9, 1729 Nader awaited outside the city gates for the Shah's arrival. Tahmasp II was received in a ceremony in which as soon as he reached Nader's person he "dismounted from his horse in a show of respect whence Nader did likewise rushing forth to dissuade the Shah from his magnanimous deed, however the Shah insisted they walk together and expressed an inability to reward Nader's ceaseless service to him. After a few more minutes of polite conversation the Shah remounted his steed and led the way back into the city with Nader following close behind".
The Shah's return was greeted with much jubilation from the citizens of Isfahan. Tahmasp however was reduced to tears when he witnessed the destitution and abject condition of the once glorious capital of a mighty empire.
See also
- Battle of Damghan (1729)
- Battle of Murche-Khort
- Safavid dynasty