Sack of Delhi (1757)

Sack of Delhi
Part of Indian Campaign of Ahmad Shah Durrani
Mughal style portrait of Ahmad Shah Durrani, c.1757
Date 17 January – 22 February 1757[1] Location Delhi, Mughal Empire 28°36′45″N 77°17′30″E / 28.61250°N 77.29167°E / 28.61250; 77.29167 Result Durrani victory
Belligerents
Durrani Empire Kingdom of Rohilkhand	Mughal Empire Supported by:  Maratha Confederacy
Commanders and leaders
Ahmad Shah Durrani Jahan Khan Najib-ud-Daula	Alamgir II  Imad ul-Mulk  Intizam-ud-Daulah
Strength
80,000 men[2]	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Civilians: Thousands killed[3]

The Sack of Delhi occurred from 17 January – 22 February 1757, carried out by the Durrani Empire under the Afghan King Ahmad Shah Durrani. Delhi, the capital of the Mughal Empire, experienced multiple invasions by the Afghans during the 18th century.

Beginning decline since the death of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb on 3 March 1707, the Mughals faced numerous invasions from the Maratha Confederacy and internal conflicts over succession. The Mughals continued declining under Muhammad Shah, allowing adventurers such as Nader Shah to invade Mughal territories and sack Delhi. Following Nader Shah's death, his eastern domains were succeeded by Ahmad Shah Durrani, who formed the Afghan Durrani Empire and centered his power base in Kandahar, Afghanistan. After three invasions by the Afghans, the Mughals lost numerous territories including Kashmir, Punjab, and Sindh.

Invited to invade India in 1756, Ahmad Shah assembled his forces, overrunning the Punjab advancing to Delhi, entering the city on 28 January, and compelling Mughal emperor Alamgir II to submit to him. The subsequent sacking of Delhi yielded immense wealth, with estimates ranging from 30 to 120 million rupees, and even as high as 300 million rupees worth of goods, which Ahmad Shah took back to Afghanistan. The sacking concluded on 22 February 1757, marking a significant blow to the already weakened Mughal Empire.