Battle of Khyber Pass (1738)

Battle of Khyber Pass
Part of Nader Shah's invasion of India

A map of the Kheibar campaign, illustrating Nader's 80 kilometre flank-march
Date26 November [O.S. 15 November] 1738
Location
Result Afsharid victory
Territorial
changes
Invasion route into the Punjab region and North India opened.
Belligerents
Afsharid Iran Mughal Empire
Commanders and leaders
Nader Shah
Morteza Mirza Afshar
Subahdar Nasir Khan (POW)
Strength

10,000 engaged in battle


Total: 22,000

  • 10,000 (engaged) under Nader Shah
  • 12,000 (un-engaged) under Morteza Mirza Afshar
20,000
50,000
Casualties and losses
Light Majority of the forces killed and rest are captured and taken prisoner.

The Battle of Khyber Pass (Persian: نبرد تنگه خیبر) was an engagement fought on 26 November 1738 between the Afsharid Iran of Nader Shah and the Mughal vassal state of Peshawar. The result of the battle was an overwhelming victory for the Iranians, opening up the path ahead to invade the crown-lands of the Mughal Empire of Muhammad Shah.