Battle of Astarabad (1759)

The Battle of Astarabad was fought outside the city of Astarabad on February 14, 1759, by the forces of Karim Khan Zand, commanded by Shaykh Ali Khan Zand and Mohammad Hasan Khan Qajar. The battle resulted in a total Qajar defeat and caused the death of Mohammad Hasan Khan Qajar, ending the Qajar threat to the Zand dynasty until the conquest of Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar.

Background
After the aborted Siege of Shiraz in 1758, the Qajars retreated north. During their hasty retreat, the Qajars failed to retain previously captured territory due to a series of mutinies by Fath-Ali Khan Afshar and Shahbaz Khan Donbali, along with other high-ranking Qajar officers. The politically important city of Isfahan was also abandoned by Qajar forces under Hoseyn Khan Develu, while Mohammad Hasan Khan Qajar himself sought to fall back to Astarabad along with Ismail III. Karim Khan Zand quickly marched north and captured Tehran. Shaykh Ali Khan Zand began attacking Qajar strongholds in Mazandaran. Unable to breach Qajar lines, Shaykh Ali Khan Zand marched to Astarabad, forcing Mohammad Hasan Khan Qajar to prepare for its defence.

Battle
Mohammad Hasan Khan Qajar decided to force a battle before Shaykh Ali Khan Zand could be reinforced by Karim Khan Zand, who was residing in Tehran. The two armies met outside Astarabad and engaged in a battle on February 14, 1759, which resulted in a decisive Zand victory. Mohammad Hasan Khan Qajar was killed by Kurdish units under the command of Hoseyn Khan Develu.

Aftermath
Astarabad proceeded to be captured by the Zands, which provided a large sum of wealth. Ismail III was also recovered by the Zands, which allowed Karim Khan Zand to legitimize himself as Vakil. Hoseyn Khan Develu was appointed as Beglerbegi by Karim Khan Zand to assure control of the region. Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar would later be captured by the Zands and sent to Shiraz as a hostage. Mohammad Hasan Khan Qajars family members were reportedly treated humanely by Karim Khan Zand.