Mūrcheh Khovrt

Murcheh Khvort lies north of Isfahan on the road across the central Iranian plateau. A caravanserai and fortified buildings recall its role as a stopping place on the approach to the city. The plain around it became the scene of a decisive encounter during the struggle to restore Safavid rule after the Afghan conquest of Isfahan.

In 1729 Nader confronted Ashraf Hotaki near Murcheh Khvort. Ashraf had withdrawn towards Isfahan after earlier defeats and prepared his forces to block the Persian advance. Nader's victory broke the Afghan resistance on the road to the capital; Ashraf retreated south, and the way was opened for the return of the Safavid claimant Tahmasp II. The battle marked a turning point in the campaign that brought Nader to power.