Nadir Shah Fortress, Khivabad

Situated approximately 100 kilometers east of Ashgabat, in the Kakhka district, lies the ancient city of Abiverd, home to the Fortress of Nadir Shah. This historic stronghold, constructed under the orders of Nadir Shah Afshar, the prominent Iranian ruler of the 18th century, stands near the village of Khivaabat.

During the 18th century, Turkmenistan was a region divided between Central Asian khanates and the Iranian Empire. The southern part of Turkmenistan fell under Iranian control, which was also the birthplace and early home of Nadir Shah. Nadir Shah Afshar, a formidable leader, made significant contributions to the history of the East through his extensive conquests. His empire, established between 1736 and 1747, extended beyond Iran to include Armenia, Azerbaijan, parts of Georgia, Belujistan, and the khanates of Khiva and Bukhara. In 1739, he captured Delhi, the capital of the Mughal Empire, further expanding his rule.

Nadir Shah’s reign was marked by both military campaigns and extensive architectural development. Among the fortresses he constructed was the Nadir-Shah Fortress in Turkmenistan, a notable example of his strategic and architectural endeavors.