Feigned Retreat, Real Massacre

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Kings and Generals animated historical series on the history of early modern period, Iranian and Muslim empires continues with a video on the rise of Nader Shah during the late stages of the Safavid empire. Nader Shah’s climb isn’t just a story of battlefield brilliance—it’s a masterclass in turning chaos into power. In 1729, with Iran shattered by famine, disease, and Afghan occupation, Nader pivots from securing the east to ripping the invaders out of the Safavid heartland. You’ll follow the campaign toward Isfahan, beginning with Ashraf Hotaki’s push into Khorasan and the decisive Battle of Mehmandost, where Nader’s disciplined musketeers, artillery, and a calculated “retreat” shatter a larger cavalry-heavy army. After outmaneuvering an ambush near Varamin, Nader meets Ashraf again at Murche-Khort—then marches into Isfahan as the capital rejoices at the return of Safavid rule. But victory creates new problems: Nader leverages fatigue and politics to extract provinces, taxes, and royal marriages, transforming himself from commander into powerbroker. The war then shifts west against the Ottomans, culminating in Malayer Valley and the recapture of key cities. Finally, rebellion in the east sparks another Herat campaign—setting the stage for Nader’s decisive move: removing Tahmasp and ruling as regent over the infant Abbas III.

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Nader Shah #1 – Battle of Herat:
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Great Schism Between Greek and Latin Christianity:
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Rise of the Cossacks:
Crusades From the Muslim Perspective:
Early Muslim Expansion – Yarmouk, Al-Qadisiyyah:
Early Muslim Expansion – Egypt and Iran:
Muslim Schism:
Third Crusade:
Fourth Crusade:
First Crusade:
Sultanate of Women in the Ottoman Empire:
How the German Empire Provoked Ottoman Jihad in WWI:
Ottoman Battles:
Why the Ottomans Never Colonized America:
Why the Ottoman Sultans Killed their Brothers:
Cem Sultan: Ottoman Prince in the Heart of Europe:
Ottoman Pirates:
Turkification of Anatolia:
Hashashins:

The video was made by Talha Sial, while the script was researched and written by Turgut Gambar. This video was narrated by Officially Devin ( & The art was created by Nargiz Isaeva. Machinimas made using Total War: Empire engine.

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00:00:00 – Iran in Crisis & Nader’s Next War
00:01:14 – 1729: March on Isfahan and the Afghan Problem
00:03:18 – Battle of Mehmandost: Feigned Withdrawal, Guns, and Discipline
00:06:14 – Road to Isfahan: Ambush at Varamin and the Trap Reversed
00:07:06 – Battle of Murche-Khort: Breaking the Afghan Line
00:08:34 – Finishing Ashraf: Politics, Hostages, and Power Bargains
00:11:20 – Ottoman Campaign: Malayer Valley to Tabriz
00:14:06 – Herat Again & Rise to Regency: Tahmasp Falls, Nader Rises

Production Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound:

#Documentary #NaderShah #Safavid

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