From Shepherd to Conqueror: The Early Life of Nader Shah

Nader Shah, often called the “Persian Napoleon,” rose from humble beginnings as a shepherd to become one of the 18th century’s most formidable military leaders. Born in 1688 in the rugged mountains of Khorasan, he emerged during a period of chaos following the Afghan invasion of Persia in 1722, which toppled the Safavid dynasty. Seizing the opportunity, Nader Shah leveraged his tactical brilliance to expel foreign occupiers and establish the Afsharid dynasty in 1736. His early campaigns showcased his audacity, often defeating numerically superior foes through bold maneuvers and disciplined coordination between infantry and cavalry.

The Costly Caucasus Campaign and the Ottoman Struggle

In 1741, Nader Shah shifted his focus westward, launching a grueling campaign against the mountainous region of Dagestan. The locals, masters of guerrilla warfare, refused to engage his seasoned troops in open battle, leading to a protracted two-year conflict that drained Persian resources. By 1743, the campaign ended with minimal gains, tarnishing Nader Shah’s reputation as an invincible commander.

Seeking to counter the Ottoman Empire, he forged an alliance with Russia, another Ottoman rival. In 1742, he hosted Russian envoy Kalushkin in Tehran, where he boasted of his ambitions: “Conquering all of India would be easy—if I march with one foot, I take India; with two, the world.” His confidence, however, masked growing instability.

The Pinnacle of Power: The Battle of Baghavand

In 1743, Nader Shah besieged Mosul with a 200,000-strong army, but the Ottomans avoided open confrontation, forcing him into costly sieges. The deadlock broke in August 1745 at the Second Battle of Baghavand, where his 80,000 troops routed 140,000 Ottomans. Despite being outnumbered, his cavalry flanking maneuvers triggered a Ottoman rout, resulting in 35,000 enemy casualties. This victory, his last major triumph, reaffirmed his battlefield supremacy but failed to force Ottoman surrender.

The Downfall: Tyranny and Rebellion

Nader Shah’s later years were marked by paranoia and brutality. To fund endless wars, he imposed crushing taxes, even reneging on a pledge to exempt Persia from levies after his Indian conquest. His distrust extended to his own family—he blinded his eldest son on suspicion of treason, later executing advisors in fits of remorse. Religious tensions flared as he alienated the Shia clergy, sparking rebellions. By 1746, exhaustion forced Persia and the Ottomans to sign the Treaty of Kerden, restoring pre-war borders.

The Assassination and Empire’s Collapse

In June 1747, Nader Shah was murdered by his own officers, who feared his erratic violence. His Afghan guards, led by Ahmad Shah Durrani, attempted to intervene but arrived too late. The empire fractured instantly, plunging Persia into chaos. Ahmad Shah Durrani later founded Afghanistan’s Durrani Dynasty, taking the Koh-i-Noor diamond as spoils.

The Koh-i-Noor: A Diamond’s Turbulent Journey

### Origins and Early History
Mined in India’s Kollur mines, the Koh-i-Noor (“Mountain of Light”) passed through Delhi Sultanate and Mughal hands before Nader Shah acquired it in 1739 through a cunning turban exchange with Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah.

### From Persia to Britain
After Nader Shah’s death, the diamond was seized by Ahmad Shah Durrani, then taken by Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh in 1813. Following the Anglo-Sikh Wars, it was ceded to Britain in 1849 and presented to Queen Victoria. Recut to 105.6 carats, it became a crown jewel, though its colonial origins remain controversial.

### Modern Controversies
India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have all claimed ownership, but Britain has refused restitution. The diamond’s saga mirrors the rise and fall of empires—each holder’s decline paving the way for the next.

Legacy of Nader Shah

Nader Shah’s military genius was overshadowed by his tyranny. Historian Percy Sykes noted that had he died after his Indian conquests, he’d be remembered as a hero. Instead, his legacy is a cautionary tale of power’s corrosive effects. The Koh-i-Noor, meanwhile, endures as a glittering symbol of imperial ambition and the fleeting nature of dominance.

As India rises anew, the diamond’s fate remains uncertain—a testament to history’s unending cycles of conquest and reclamation.