Sabzevar expedition

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Sabzevar expedition
Part of Nader's Campaigns
Barout khaneh near Tehran
An artist's impression of a gunpowder depot in northern Persia (eighteenth century).
Date1727–1728
Location
Northern Persia
Result

Nader's Victory

  • Tahmasp II of the Safavid dynasty becomes Nader's vassal
Territorial
changes		 Nader solidifies his hold on Khorasan and brings the south-eastern Caspian region under his dominion
Belligerents
Nader's Forces Safavid dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Nader Tahmasp II
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Minimal Minimal
  • v
  • t
  • e
Campaigns of Nader Shah
Fall of the Safavids [fa]
  • Battle of Gulnabad
  • Siege of Isfahan

Khorasan Campaign

  • Sangan
  • Sabzevar

Afghan Campaigns

  • 1st Afghan Campaign
  • 2nd Afghan Campaign
  • Qandahar

Safavid restoration

First Ottoman War

Indian Campaign


Central Asian Campaign

Dagestan Campaign

Persian Gulf Campaign

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 Sabzevar expedition was a politically decisive event in Nader's career where he in effect turned from mere commander-in-chief of Tahmasp's forces into the real power behind the throne (although technically this still was a government in exile as the Gilzai Afghans were in control of Isfahan). The expedition was launched mainly due to Tahmasp's own incompetence and ill-thought attempt at curbing the powers of his upstart general and military genius.

Prelude to Conflict

After the brief campaign in southern Khorasan that culminated in the battle of Sangan Nader was determined on a more ambitious plan of action which involved the taking of Herat in order to completely subdue the Abdali Afghans. He thus agreed with his Monarch Tahmasp II that they would invade southward were their paths would converge, leading to the final destination of Herat. Unfortunately for Nader (and for himself as events would later show) Tahmasp was increasingly distrustful, perhaps jealous of Nader and under the pressure of many in his entourage did not march southward but instead north where he proclaimed Nader a traitor and asked loyal subjects to join in the battle against him.

Nader's Response

Nader's reaction was immediate. He left his brother in Mashad and set off with the bulk of his men and pursued Tahmasp north where the Shah was joined by the Qarachoorloo Kurds. The Shah was besieged by Nader in the fort "Kohne Sangan" where Nader brought up his guns to subject it to a heavy bombardment. The Kurds who came to relieve the Shah were lured into a ditch were Nader had concocted an elaborate trap in which he forced the Kurds into an ignominious surrender. Tahmasp cognisant of his precarious position sent a minister to negotiate with Nader. Nader claimed to be in fear of his life and when he was assured there was no cause for fear as the Tahmasp had given his word that no harm should befall him he mocked these guarantees mentioning that the Shah had also given his word that no harm would befall Fathali Khan but it only took a day before he was decapitated. Despite this he relented, alas for Tahmasp this did not entail a true return to kingship in any other way than in name, from this point he would function as Nader's stooge.

Pacification of the North

After taming Tahmasp, Nader advanced on Astarabad, then further into Mazandaran bringing the southern coast of the Caspian sea under his control. All his efforts bore fruit as he had secured Khorasan from all quarters and now with a subservient monarch under his thumb he could advance down onto Herat with both security as well as Royal legitimacy.

See also

Sources