Shah, Nadir

(c.1688–1747) ruled as Shah of Iran. Because of his military genius, some historians have described him as the Napoleon of Persia or the Second Alexander. His numerous campaigns created a great empire, but his military spending had a ruinous effect on the Persian economy.Nadir idolized Genghis Khan and Timur, the previous conquerors from Central Asia. He imitated their military prowess and — especially later in his reign — their cruelty. His victories briefly made him West Asia’s most powerful sovereign, but his empire quickly disintegrated after he was assassinated in 1747.