The Durrani Empire was an Afghan empire founded by Ahmad Shah Durrani, a commander in the army of Nader Shah of Persia, who established an independent state in Kandahar after Nader's assassination. A council of Afghan tribal leaders chose him as ruler. He expanded his territory to the east, taking Kashmir and Punjab, and attacked Delhi. In 1761 he defeated the Maratha Confederacy at the Third Battle of Panipat, one of the largest battles of the century, which checked Maratha expansion in northern India. The empire stretched over parts of what is now Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and India. It declined after his death because of succession disputes, and the Barakzai dynasty eventually took power.
Before and after
- from 29 January 1746 to 22 February 1746Siege of Brussels
- 30 March 1746Birth of Francisco Goya
- 27 April 1746Battle of Culloden
- 1747Construction of Sanssouci Palace
- from 1747 to 1826Durrani Empire
- 1748Construction of Suomenlinna
- from 1748 to 1767Indian campaign of Ahmad Shah Durrani
- 1748Excavations begin at Pompeii
- 30 August 1748Birth of Jacques-Louis David
More in Civilizations & archaeology
- 12 June 1550Founding of Helsinki
- 11 March 1565Founding of Rio de Janeiro
- from 26 July 1581 to 19 January 1795Dutch Republic
- 1614Founding of Tirana
- 1624Founding of New York City
- 1744Rise of House of Saud
The era
This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 18th century.