Ruler of Persia (1736–47) and scourge of central Asia and India. Of Turkish origin and until 1726 a bandit chieftain, he rose to prominence under the Safavid shahs of Persia, acting as king-maker during an era of disputed succession. In 1736 when the infant shah died he seized the throne and immediately embarked on expeditions against neighbouring states. In 1739 he attacked Delhi, capital of Mogul India, but retreated after slaughtering the citizens. Campaigns against Russia and Turkey followed but military adventures were by then at the price of Persia’s economic stability. His own subjects suffered as much as his enemies from his ruthless methods, and he was assassinated by his own troops.