KARNAL, BATTLE OF

(Feb. 24, 1739), battle between the forces of Nadir Shah, an Iranian adventurer, and Muhammad Shah, the Mughal emperor of India, at Karnal, 70 miles (110 km) north of Delhi; the Mughals suffered a decisive defeat. Nadir led about 55,000 troops, and Muhammad about 15,000, but both sides, especially the Indian, had large numbers of noncombatants. Nadir began his invasion by pursuing fugitives from Kandahar to Mughal-held Kabul (both now in Afghanistan). Divided counsels prevented a Mughal stand until Nadir reached Karnal. Jealousy and rashness led to the Indian defeat, and the emperor was besieged in his entrenched camp. Nadir marched to Delhi and massacred its inhabitants on March 11. He left Delhi on May 5 with plunder, including the famous Peacock Throne of Shah Jahan. The Mughal Empire never recovered from this blow to its prestige.