The Battle of Gulnabad was a critical encounter in the early 18th century that saw the Afghan forces, led by Mahmud Hotaki, deliver a crushing blow to the Safavid Empire of Iran. During this period, the Safavid Empire was grappling with widespread discontent among various ethnic groups and political factions, which left it vulnerable. The Afghans took advantage of this instability. The battle unfolded near Gulnabad, where Hotaki’s disciplined troops exploited the Safavid's fragmented military structure.

The conflict culminated in the siege of Isfahan, the heart of the Safavid power. The Afghan army, motivated by a combination of political aspirations and the quest for resources, employed effective military tactics that overwhelmed the Safavid defenses. Following the victory at Gulnabad, Hotaki proclaimed himself king and established Afghan rule over significant portions of Persia, thus marking a pivotal shift in power in the region.

The battle and subsequent Afghan occupation disrupted trade and governance in Persia, leading to a power vacuum that triggered further conflicts and invasions. The defeat highlighted not only military failings on the part of the Safavid forces but also the broader socio-political issues that were deteriorating their hold over Iran. This event is often seen as a precursor to the eventual decline of the Safavid dynasty and set a historical precedent for the rise of new power structures in Iran.