Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c10.s3.20

v1.c10.s3.20

The most influential element in the population of Persia were the Qizilbāshes (literally *Red Heads*, from their red Turkish caps.) These were the descendants of some Turkish tribes long settled in Persia and they formed the best soldiers in the East, often acting as king-makers. Nādir now began to brood over plans for destroying all the Qizilbāshes of note and influence with the aid of his Uzbak and Afghān captains, who had latterly displaced the Qizilbāshes in his trust and favour. He arranged with these foreign mercenaries to summon all the Qizilbāsh chiefs and captains to his presence next day and there massacre them, and then by a sudden attack annihilate their leaderless soldiery, giving up their property to plunder by the Uzbaks and Afghāns.