India’s position has been neutral in the recent war between US-Israel and Iran. He has not supported any side in the war and has suggested both to resolve the issue through mutual dialogue.
But apart from the government’s stand, there is a large section of the country which is openly supporting the radical Islamic country Iran in the war. Those people, deeply in love with Iran, donated their jewellery, money and their entire life’s savings to this country. Their innocent argument is that Iran is fighting a war for humanity and its freedom, which should be supported. But do you know that this same Iran had wreaked such havoc in India 288 years ago that even today people shudder remembering that massacre. He not only looted the wealth of India but also selectively demolished temples. When he protested, he left such a huge pile of dead bodies of Hindus in Delhi, which is called the biggest massacre till date.
Who was Nadir Shah, who attacked India?
This bloody attack on India was carried out by Nadir Shah. He was the ruler of Iran and the founder of the Afsharid dynasty. His eyes were set on the immense wealth of India. He knew that there were rich people in India, who could be looted to fill Iran’s treasury. Thinking this he started planning to attack India. At that time, India was being ruled by the Mughal dynasty and Muhammad Shah was the ruler here. The Mughal Empire had become quite weak during his rule.
Seeing a favorable opportunity, Nadir Shah planned to attack India. He ordered the army to march towards India. His army reached Punjab via Kabul, Ghazni and Peshawar, where it encountered the Mughal army. The Mughal army was larger than Nadir Shah’s army but it lacked efficient leadership and organization.
There were about 80 thousand soldiers in Nadir Shah’s army. This army was highly disciplined and war-skilled, which included cavalry, cannons and small guns called jamburaks. Nadir Shah moved his army forward with skillful strategy and gradually went on capturing India which came under the Mughal dynasty.
Defeated Mughal forces in Karnal
His army’s campaign started from Kandahar and reached Delhi via Ghazni, Kabul, Jalalabad, Peshawar, Attock, Lahore, Sirhind, Ambala and Karnal. During this period, Nadir Shah looted everywhere and created terrible massacres. Since there were Muslims in Afghanistan, he did not cause much destruction there but he did extensive looting in the areas between Punjab and Delhi. A decisive battle took place between Nadir Shah and the Mughals on 24 February 1739 in the plains of Karnal, where the Mughals suffered a massive defeat.
Intoxicated after this victory, Iranian ruler Nadir Shah reached Delhi in March 1739. Even before he could set foot in Delhi, Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah surrendered. After this, Nadir Shah got a Khutba read in his name in Delhi and ordered coins to be minted in his name. Along with this he ordered the soldiers to loot the city of Delhi. As soon as they received the orders from their master, the Iranian soldiers pounced on the people like hungry wolves. They looted all the property from the houses of rich Hindu families including the Red Fort and the Mughal palaces.
During this period, Nadir Shah also looted the Peacock Throne built by Shahjahan. This throne was studded with pure gold and diamonds and jewels. Apart from this, Kohinoor and Darya-e-Noor diamonds also came into his hands. He also looted hundreds of elephants, horses, camels and artisans. Besides, gold, silver, jewels and all the cash were also confiscated from the Mughal treasury.
Piles of dead bodies on the streets of Delhi
According to historical estimates, Nadir Shah looted a total of Rs 30 crore in cash from India at that time, along with diamonds, jewels, gold and silver utensils and other property. If this property is adjusted according to today’s inflation, then this wealth amounts to more than Rs 10 lakh 50 thousand crores. According to many historians, the wealth looted from India was so much that Nadir Shah did not need to collect taxes in Iran for three years.
When Nadir Shah was in Delhi, a rumor spread that he had died due to being injured in the war. After this the people of Delhi revolted. As soon as Nadir Shah got information about this, he issued orders to massacre the people. Following his orders, Iranian soldiers killed about 30 thousand people in Delhi by cutting them with swords in a single day. Most of those killed were Hindus, who were selectively killed as punishment for not betraying their religion. Along with this, arson and looting took place in many areas of the city.
According to historians, Nadir Shah’s army committed atrocities in Hindu populated areas. Delhi’s markets, temples and houses were looted. Women and children were captured and made slaves, who were later taken to Iran and sold. Nadir Shah ruled Delhi for 57 days. Along with looting, rape of women and killings in case of protest became common. Hindu businessmen and the rich were especially targeted. Many Hindu families were completely destroyed. In Delhi, people were killed to such an extent that heaps of dead bodies were left everywhere, which kept rotting on the streets for several days.
Sikh warriors attacked and rescued many women
When he was returning to Iran after looting crores of rupees from Delhi and enslaving thousands of women and children, Sikh warriors and Hindu kings in Punjab carried out several small guerrilla attacks on his army. In this attack he succeeded in freeing some women and children. But, despite this, Nadir Shah returned to Iran with immense wealth. On his return, he captured the areas west of the Indus River and made it a part of Iran.
After reaching Iran, Nadir Shah strengthened his army with the looted wealth. He made the Peacock Throne the symbol of the Iranian Empire. He made Iran prosperous by running many more war campaigns with the treasure looted from India. He looted so much money from India that he did not collect taxes from the people for three years. But it is said that karma always comes back. Just as he had caused people to be massacred in India, he too had to die in the same way. He was assassinated in Iran, after which the throne was divided into many pieces.
Nadir Shah died but even today the people of India have not forgotten the atrocities inflicted upon him. The havoc wreaked on Hindus still hurts people. Iran not only looted the wealth of India, it also played with the honor of thousands of women here. Small children, elderly people and men were killed. Temples were demolished. People were forced to recite Kalma by placing a sword on their neck.
People consider Nadir Shah a hero in Iran
The interesting thing is that till date no one in Iran wrongs Nadir Shah nor criticizes him. He believes that Nadir Shah did what he should have done for his country and religion. He killed the infidels, looted their wealth, enslaved their women. Religion allows all this.
In such a situation, those who are going crazy in love for Iran and India today, should remember this massacre of Nadir Shah 288 years ago. They should think whether they are really doing right. Should we blindly support the country of Nadir Shah who murdered thousands of people of our country or should we demand answers from the people there for the atrocities of Nadir Shah.