Battle of Karnal
Near Karnal, Haryana, India, about 110 km north of Delhi
What happened
Nader Shah, ruler of Persia, fought the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. Nader Shah marched from Persia into India. The Mughal army waited in a fortified camp at Karnal, but Nader Shah drew part of it onto the open plain by pretending to retreat. His hidden guns broke up the Mughal divisions, and the battle was over in less than three hours.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The defeat badly weakened the Mughal Empire, which was already in decline. It also showed the British East India Company how weak the Mughals had become.
What came next
Persian troops occupied and looted Delhi and carried away great treasures, including the Peacock Throne and the Koh-i-Noor diamond. Nader Shah left India in May 1739.
Did you know?
Nader Shah mounted small swivel guns on camels trained to kneel, so the guns had a steady platform to fire from.
Timeline
- 24 February 1739Nader Shah defeats the Mughal army at Karnal.
- 26 February 1739Muhammad Shah meets Nader Shah and accepts his terms.
- 1739Persian troops occupy Delhi and take the Peacock Throne.
- May 1739Nader Shah leaves Delhi.
- 1747Nader Shah dies, and the Peacock Throne is lost.