The Battle of Zarghan ended Ashraf Hotak's rule over Persia, completing Nader's reconquest and eliminating the last Hotaki Afghan power in the region.
Key Facts
- Date
- 24 September 1729
- Series
- Nader's Campaigns
- Last battle of
- Ashraf Hotak's political career
- Preceding battles
- Mehmandoost and Murche-Khort
- Outcome
- Decisive Naderid victory; Ashraf fled Persia
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
After suffering repeated defeats at the Battles of Mehmandoost and Murche-Khort, the Hotaki Afghan ruler Ashraf Hotak abandoned Isfahan and retreated south to Shiraz, seeking to reconstitute his forces with support from local tribes and reverse the momentum of Nader's advancing army.
At Zarghan near Shiraz, Nader's forces met and decisively defeated Ashraf Hotak's reconstituted army. Despite limited tribal support, Ashraf could not withstand Nader's military pressure, suffering a conclusive battlefield loss that ended his capacity to resist.
Following the defeat, Ashraf Hotak vanished from Persia and from historical records entirely. No consensus exists on the manner of his death. The battle completed the destruction of Hotaki Afghan power in Persia and consolidated Nader's control over the country on behalf of the Safavid restoration.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Nader (Nader Shah).
Side B
1 belligerent
Ashraf Hotak.