Nader Shah, the Persian king, invaded India in the early 18th century, seeking to expand his empire and acquire riches. The backdrop of his invasion was the decline of the Mughal Empire, which had once been a dominant power in the region. By 1739, the Mughal authorities were embroiled in internal strife, allowing Nader Shah to capitalize on their weakness. After successfully crossing the Indus River, he marched towards Delhi, where he faced limited resistance from the Mughal forces led by Emperor Muhammad Shah. On March 22, Nader Shah's troops entered Delhi, causing widespread panic among its inhabitants.

Once inside the city, Nader Shah ordered his men to loot and pillage. The Persian army was ruthless, and numerous atrocities were committed against the population. The crowning moment of his conquest came when he seized the illustrious Peacock Throne, a symbol of Mughal grandeur, richly adorned with gemstones and gold. The loss of such an emblematic artifact underscored the devastating impact of Nader Shah’s invasion on Mughal prestige. After weeks of chaos, Nader Shah sought to consolidate his gains and began negotiating with the Mughal court.

Ultimately, his invasion of Delhi would leave enduring scars on the city and its people. Nader Shah decided to retreat with his plunder, including vast wealth and cultural relics, asserting Persian dominance and marking a pivotal moment in the subcontinent's history. The Mughal Empire, significantly weakened by this attack, never fully recovered, leading to a power vacuum that would eventually allow other foreign powers, such as the British, to establish control in India.