Siege of Baghdad (1733)

The Siege of Baghdad in 1733 was a military engagement during the Ottoman-Persian War of 1730-1735. It saw the Persian army, led by Nader Shah, lay siege to the Ottoman-held city of Baghdad.

Nader Shah, seeking to regain territories lost to the Ottomans, aimed to capture the strategically important city. The siege began with the Persian army encircling Baghdad, attempting to cut off its supply lines and weaken its defenses. They employed artillery bombardments and attempted to breach the city walls through mining and direct assaults.

The Ottoman garrison, under the command of the Governor of Baghdad, Ahmad Pasha, strongly resisted the Persian siege. Ahmad Pasha had fortified the city and organized a robust defense, bolstered by a loyal local population. The Ottomans also benefited from their control of the Tigris River, which allowed them to resupply the city and maintain communication with other Ottoman territories.

After a protracted siege lasting several months, Nader Shah was forced to lift the siege due to a combination of factors. These included heavy Persian casualties, logistical difficulties in sustaining the siege, outbreaks of disease within the Persian army, and the arrival of a large Ottoman relief force commanded by Topal Osman Pasha. This relief force decisively defeated the Persian army at the Battle of Samarra, forcing Nader Shah to retreat from Baghdad.

The failure to capture Baghdad was a setback for Nader Shah's campaign, although he continued to fight against the Ottomans in other regions. The siege demonstrated the resilience of the Ottoman defense and the strategic importance of Baghdad within the region. The siege resulted in significant destruction to the surrounding areas and hardship for the civilian population.