2.8. The nadir of Iranian history: the 1700s
In the 18th century, Persia was the playground of cruel warlords, who attempted to rule through fear and blood. You had the Afghan rebel turned Shah, the Persian Napoleon Nadir Shah, and even a eunuch-king! It was one of the worst periods in the country's history: the population fell from 9 to 6 million. It was the Qajars who finally ended the era of civil war.