Enlightenment · South Asia · War

1739

Nader Shah Sacks Delhi

February 24, 1739

After routing the Mughals at Karnal, the Persian conqueror rode into Delhi beside a helpless Muhammad Shah. A riot gave him his pretext. For a day his troops massacred tens of thousands of citizens. He left with the Peacock Throne, the Koh-i-Noor diamond, and treasure that let him suspend Persian taxes for three years.