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Full Description
Vasilios Vatatzes was an eighteenth-century ethnic Greek scholar, merchant, traveller, and diplomat. In 1748, he wrote a biography of the Iranian ruler Nader Shah, in whose court he likely spent extensive time during his multiple trips across Iran. In this new annotated English translation, this important source for the late Safavid, Afghan and Afsharid periods of Iranian history is made available to English-speaking scholars. Vatatzes was an eyewitness to some of the events of his narrative, offering unique information about the history of Iran and Western Asia that is not attested in other contemporary sources. The text provides information about the revival and re-unification of the fragmented Iran under Nader Shah, the Iranian expansion in the Indian Peninsula and the Persian Gulf. Vatatzes's perspective also makes the text unique: his political worldview as an Ottoman-born Greek Christians means he viewed Nader Shah as a role model for the 'emancipation' of his coreligionists.
Contents
Preface
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Note on Transliteration
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
Translation
Chapter 1
The importance of the subject. Author's relationship with Iran and Nader Shah.
The difficulties faced by the future king against the Afghans, the tribes of Dagistan, the Uzbeks, Kurds, Turkomans, Iberians, Armenians, the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Sultanate.
The work carried out under these difficult conditions by the "New Hercules."
The hero's hometown: Khurasan. Explanation of the ancient region of the Parthians.
Detailed description of the areas. Bambart, birthplace of the hero.
The mythology about the miracle of the birth of the future King.
His father is a "katkhuda," village leader. The son's name is Nader Quli.
Nader's childhood. Admiration for his abilities. His first exploits against the Turkomans.
The decline of Iran and its causes.
Chapter 2
Invocation to the Muses. Recapitulation.
Going back to 1694 and referring to Shah Sultan Husayn, son of Shah Sulayman. His strengths and weaknesses as a ruler.
The influence of Itimad al-Dawla, Fath Ali Khan Dagistani, a Shiite with Sunni sympathies.
Fath Ali Khan's ambition for the throne. Neglect of military duties.
The character of the city of Kandahar and its Turkoman ruler.
Mir Wais's influence, his revolt from Kandahar in favor of the Sunnis.
Kandahar's fall by treachery under Mir Wais.
Fath Ali Khan conceals the consequences from the Shah.
The first army defeated outside Kandahar.
The Christian ruler George sent to Kandahar.
Capture of Mir Wais; his release and revenge on George.
Mir Wais rules until 1722, succeeded by his son Mahmud.
Fath Ali Khan's new conflicts and downfall.
Chapter 3
Recapitulation.
Mahmud of Kandahar and his allies prepare to attack Iran.
Revolts in Nyssa; King Vakhtang of Iberia seeks independence.
Vakhtang's journey to Isfahan and his struggles as a Christian ruler.
His decision to regain his throne.
Mahmud's campaign and siege of Isfahan.
Horrors of the siege: famine, plague, and surrender.
Shah Husayn crowns Mahmud and gives him his daughter in marriage.
Chapter 4
Recapitulation.
Imprisonment and murder of Husayn and his sons.
Rise of Shah Tahmasp.
Peter the Great's intervention and the Caspian campaigns.
Conquests of Darband and diplomatic exchanges.
Ottoman and Russian rivalries in Iran.
Tahmasp's wanderings and alliances.
Death of Mahmud (1724) and rise of Ashraf Shah.
Tahmasp's refuge and intrigues in Khurasan.
Chapter 5
Recapitulation.
In 1727, Nader Quli emerges in Bambart.
His early campaigns and rise to prominence.
Alliance with Tahmasp and appointment as Nader Quli Khan.
Conquests of Sabzevar, Nishapur, and Mashhad.
Defeat and death of Malek Khan.
Chapter 6
Recapitulation.
Nader's consolidation of power in Khurasan.
Justice and reforms.
Religious devotion and military preparation.
Campaign against Dhu'l-Fiqar Khan in Mazandaran and Astarabad.
His deceit and victory.
Description of Scythia, Central Asia, and other lands.
Return to Mashhad and further consolidation.
Chapter 7
Recapitulation.
Russian diplomatic missions.
Tahmasp Quli's military and judicial virtues.
Reports on Afghan and Russian movements.
Battles involving Saydal Khan and Russian General Levasov.
Victory of Charles Saine and further diplomacy.
Celebration of Nowruz at court.
Preparations for the Herat campaign.
Chapter 8
Synopsis.
Afghan attack on Herat.
Speech and victory of Tahmasp Quli.
March on Isfahan.
Murder of Shah Husayn by Ashraf.
Battle of Damghan and capture of Isfahan (1729).
Chapter 9
Synopsis.
Restoration of Shah Tahmasp.
Pursuit and death of Ashraf.
Campaigns against the Ottomans.
Capture of Yerevan and siege of Baghdad.
Peace with the Porte.
Assassination of the Shah (1731) and accession of Abbas.
Chapter 10
Recapitulation.
Massacre of courtiers and new rebellions.
Battles with Topal Othman Pasha and Ottoman defeats.
Return to Isfahan and rise in fame.
Alliance with Russia against the Ottomans.
Victory at Ganja and subjugation of Iberia.
Destruction of Darband.
Proclamation of Nader as Shah.
Chapter 11
Recapitulation.
Coronation of Nader Shah.
Reforms, diplomacy, and campaigns.
Peace with the Ottomans.
Siege and capture of Kandahar.
Invasion of India and Battle of Jinabad (1738).
Triumph and entry as "King of Kings."
Chapter 12
Recapitulation.
Return from India with vast treasures.
Submission of Balkh and Bukhara.
Conquest of Khiva and founding of Kalat.
Campaigns in Dagistan and relations with Russia.
Construction projects and later paranoia.
Rebellions, executions, and conspiracies.
Assassination of Nader Shah (June 1, 1747).
Accession of Ali Quli Khan (1748).
Conclusion and verses in praise of Nader Shah.
Glossary of Terms, Characters, and Proper Names
Bibliography
Index
