The Battle of Karnal in February 1739 resulted in the decisive defeat of Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah Rangila by Persian ruler Nadir Shah, marking a pivotal turning point in Indian history.
It not only showcased the military prowess of Nadir Shah but also exposed the vulnerabilities of the Mughal Empire, leading to its eventual downfall.
Key Facts Related to the Battle of Karnal
- Background
- After consolidating his rule in Persia, Nadir Shah (also known as the Napoleon of Persia) invaded Afghanistan (1738) and advanced into Mughal territory through the Khyber Pass, exploiting the empire’s instability after Aurangzeb’s death (1707).
- By January 1739, Nadir Shah had already captured Kabul (in June 1738) and had seized Lahore.
- Forces
- Despite having 300,000 soldiers, the Mughal army lacked coordination, while Nadir Shah’s 50,000 disciplined troops used advanced tactics like mounted musketeers with swivel guns, overpowering the Mughals’ outdated cavalry charges.
- Battle & Loot of Delhi
- Nadir Shah crushed the Mughal army within three hours, killing commanders Khan Dauran and Sa’adat Khan and capturing Muhammad Shah.
- He then looted Delhi (capital Shahjahanabad), seizing immense wealth, including the Peacock Throne (takht-i-taus) and Koh-i-Noor diamond.
- Impact on the Mughal Empire
- The invasion left the Mughal Empire economically shattered and weakened, fueling the rise of Bengal, Awadh, Hyderabad, the Marathas, and the Sikhs.
- The invasion led to the annexation of the Mughal provinces to the west of the Indus, including Afghanistan, Kashmir, Sindh, and Multan, to Persia.
- This decline facilitated British expansion in India in the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Foreign Invasion Due to the Battle
- Ahmad Shah Abdali, the commander of Nadir Shah, established his rule over Afghanistan after Nadir Shah’s death.
- He invaded North India many times between 1748 and 1767, with the most well-known being his victory over the Marathas in 1761 in the Third Battle of Panipat.
The Battle of Karnal serves as a significant historical event that reshaped the political landscape of India, hastening the decline of the Mughal Empire and setting the stage for future invasions and colonial expansion.
