Lindsey Graham

When the retreating horsemen reach the safety of their main battle lines, the Persian infantry unleashes a volley of musket and cannon fire that devastates the pursuing Mughal forces. Meanwhile, Nadir dispatches some of his best troops to meet the 8,000 Mughal reinforcements still coming up behind.

When the retreating horsemen reach the safety of their main battle lines, the Persian infantry unleashes a volley of musket and cannon fire that devastates the pursuing Mughal forces. Meanwhile, Nadir dispatches some of his best troops to meet the 8,000 Mughal reinforcements still coming up behind.

When the retreating horsemen reach the safety of their main battle lines, the Persian infantry unleashes a volley of musket and cannon fire that devastates the pursuing Mughal forces. Meanwhile, Nadir dispatches some of his best troops to meet the 8,000 Mughal reinforcements still coming up behind.

Once again, Nadir's plan is to lure them into an ambush, and once again the Mughals fall right into the trap, marching straight into a chokepoint in a small village where Nadir himself waits with artillery. The results of the ambush are devastating. The Mughal war elephants suffer especially badly.

Once again, Nadir's plan is to lure them into an ambush, and once again the Mughals fall right into the trap, marching straight into a chokepoint in a small village where Nadir himself waits with artillery. The results of the ambush are devastating. The Mughal war elephants suffer especially badly.

Once again, Nadir's plan is to lure them into an ambush, and once again the Mughals fall right into the trap, marching straight into a chokepoint in a small village where Nadir himself waits with artillery. The results of the ambush are devastating. The Mughal war elephants suffer especially badly.

Although terrifying when they're on the charge, elephants prove an easy target for Persian artillery. And in the face of overwhelming cannon fire, the creatures scatter in terror and their riders crash to the ground as all discipline in the Mughal lines disintegrates. Confusion and despair spread through the ranks and thousands are killed in the chaos.

Although terrifying when they're on the charge, elephants prove an easy target for Persian artillery. And in the face of overwhelming cannon fire, the creatures scatter in terror and their riders crash to the ground as all discipline in the Mughal lines disintegrates. Confusion and despair spread through the ranks and thousands are killed in the chaos.

Although terrifying when they're on the charge, elephants prove an easy target for Persian artillery. And in the face of overwhelming cannon fire, the creatures scatter in terror and their riders crash to the ground as all discipline in the Mughal lines disintegrates. Confusion and despair spread through the ranks and thousands are killed in the chaos.

From the safety of his camp on the other side of the river, the Mughal leader Muhammad Shah can hear the barrage of Persian gunfire and the screams of elephants. With many of his best troops lost and morale among the survivors collapsing, it's clear to him that the battle is lost.

From the safety of his camp on the other side of the river, the Mughal leader Muhammad Shah can hear the barrage of Persian gunfire and the screams of elephants. With many of his best troops lost and morale among the survivors collapsing, it's clear to him that the battle is lost.

From the safety of his camp on the other side of the river, the Mughal leader Muhammad Shah can hear the barrage of Persian gunfire and the screams of elephants. With many of his best troops lost and morale among the survivors collapsing, it's clear to him that the battle is lost.

Nadir Shah's triumph at Karnal will soon lead him to march on Delhi to claim the Indian capital for the Persian Empire. But this battle will have more than just an immediate impact on the region. The defeat of the Mughal Empire will fragment the entire Indian subcontinent and leave it vulnerable to invaders from much farther afield.

Nadir Shah's triumph at Karnal will soon lead him to march on Delhi to claim the Indian capital for the Persian Empire. But this battle will have more than just an immediate impact on the region. The defeat of the Mughal Empire will fragment the entire Indian subcontinent and leave it vulnerable to invaders from much farther afield.

Nadir Shah's triumph at Karnal will soon lead him to march on Delhi to claim the Indian capital for the Persian Empire. But this battle will have more than just an immediate impact on the region. The defeat of the Mughal Empire will fragment the entire Indian subcontinent and leave it vulnerable to invaders from much farther afield.

It's March 20th, 1739, in Delhi, capital of the Mughal Empire, almost a month after the Battle of Karnal. Nadir Shah rides through the palace gates at the head of his triumphant Persian army. Among his entourage are a hundred captured war elephants, as well as a far more valuable prize, the Mughal leader himself, Muhammad Shah.

It's March 20th, 1739, in Delhi, capital of the Mughal Empire, almost a month after the Battle of Karnal. Nadir Shah rides through the palace gates at the head of his triumphant Persian army. Among his entourage are a hundred captured war elephants, as well as a far more valuable prize, the Mughal leader himself, Muhammad Shah.

It's March 20th, 1739, in Delhi, capital of the Mughal Empire, almost a month after the Battle of Karnal. Nadir Shah rides through the palace gates at the head of his triumphant Persian army. Among his entourage are a hundred captured war elephants, as well as a far more valuable prize, the Mughal leader himself, Muhammad Shah.

Following his defeat at Karnal, Muhammad Shah had no choice but to negotiate with the Persians. Nadir spared his life, but the once mighty Mughals are now just a vassal state of the Persian Empire. Nadir Shah now rules over a domain that stretches 2,000 miles from the Black Sea to the heart of India.

Following his defeat at Karnal, Muhammad Shah had no choice but to negotiate with the Persians. Nadir spared his life, but the once mighty Mughals are now just a vassal state of the Persian Empire. Nadir Shah now rules over a domain that stretches 2,000 miles from the Black Sea to the heart of India.