TRENDEFRARAtlas of the Sultans · Wars, battles and treaties
Siege · 1733
Refusing to recognise the Treaty of Ahmed Pasha, Nadir besieged Baghdad in 1733. According to the TDV article on Baghdad, the city held out for seven months through the fierce resistance of Ahmed Pasha, who had succeeded his father Hasan Pasha as governor and army commander. When the Ottoman army under Topal Osman Pasha defeated Nadir on 20 July 1733, Baghdad was relieved. On his return from India, Nadir Shah besieged Baghdad again and took Kirkuk (1743); this last war ended with the Treaty of Kerden in 1746.
| Date | 1733 (seven months); victory 20 July 1733 |
|---|---|
| Location | Baghdad |
| Result | Baghdad held for seven months; Topal Osman Pasha defeated Nadir and lifted the siege |
| Belligerents | Ottoman Empire | Safavid Empire |
|---|---|---|
| Commanders | Topal Osman Pasha Ahmed Pasha | Nadir |
Took place during the reign of Mahmud I (1730–1754). Mahmud I
Open the reign of Mahmud I on the mapBy the atlas's calculation the Ottoman lands covered about 4,882,000 km² in 1733; at the start of Mahmud I's reign they measured 4,882,000 km², at its end 4,753,000 km².
During Mahmud I (1730–1754) the atlas records 2 regions gained and 1 region lost.
Regions gained: Smederevo–Šumadija (1739), Belgrade–Šabac (1739).
Regions lost: Azerbaijan–Shirvan–Yerevan (1735).
The empire's last great territorial gain was made in his reign. As the first sultan to introduce European-style military training, he began the line of reform that ran until the Tanzimat.
Areas are land area computed from the atlas's region data; see Method and sources.
Source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam, “BAĞDAT” (Turkish); text written for the atlas.
Cite as: Atlas of the Sultans, “Siege of Baghdad (1733): Date, Commanders and Outcome”, https://padisahlaratlasi.com/en/events/siege-of-baghdad-1733/ (last updated 12 November 2026). Corrections