Tossup

Michael Axworthy’s biography of this leader discusses his successful use of jazāyer·chī and zanbūrak·chī units from Bakhtīyār in a victory against Khān Dowrān VII. This leader blinded his heir and then executed witnesses during a guerrilla war with Lezgins of Dagestan, which was recorded by his (10[1])court historian Mīrzā Mehdī Khān Astarābādi. This leader toppled the Ghiljī Hōtak dynasty with his siege of Kandahar; (10[1])and this leader’s commander (10[1])Ahmad Shāh Durrānī (10[2]-5[1])established (10[2])an empire in modern Afghanistan (-5[1])after this leader was assassinated (10[1])in his native (10[1])Khorasan. (10[1])Muhammad (10[1])Shah Rangila’s army was routed by this founder of the Afshārid (10[1])dynasty (10[1])at the Battle of (10[2])Karnāl. For 10 points, (10[1])name this 18th-century shāh of Persia, (10[1])who stole the Peacock (10[1]-5[1])Throne and the Koh-i-Noor (10[1])during a 1739 sack of Delhi. ■END■ (10[3]0[3])

ANSWER: Nāder Shāh [or Nāder Shāh Afshar] (Michael Axworthy’s book is The Sword of Persia: Nader Shah, from Tribal Warrior to Conquering Tyrant.)
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