Battle of Lahore (1748)

The Battle of Lahore was fought between Afghan forces of the Durrani Empire under Ahmad Shah Durrani and Mughal forces under Shah Nawaz on 11 January 1748. Zakriya Khan, the Mughal Governor of Lahore, died in 1745 and was succeeded by his son, Yahya Khan. Yahya Khan's governorship over Lahore was soon challenged by his brother, Shah Nawaz, who was the governor of Multan. This resulted in a war between the two brothers, lasting from November 1746 to March 1747. Shah Nawaz won the war then usurped the governorship of Lahore.

Shah Nawaz used his captive brother as a bargaining tool in order to get recognition from the Delhi government. However, following Yahya Khan's escape from captivity, Shah Nawaz sought help from abroad. He turned to Ahmad Shah Durrani, who had just taken the city of Kabul from the Mughals. Ahmad Shah agreed to assist him, and left Peshawar in December 1747, beginning his first invasion of India. However, Shah Nawaz then changed his allegiance back to the Mughals, and met the Afghans for battle at Lahore.

Despite being overwhelmingly outnumbered and without artillery, Ahmad Shah won the battle and the Afghans entered Lahore, looting parts of the city. Ahmad Shah remained in the city until he began marching to Delhi, where he was intercepted by the Mughals and resulting in the Battle of Manupur.