The Position and Role of Azad Khan Afghan in Power Struggles During the Transition from Afsharid Dynasty to Zand Dynasty

One of the most important and ambiguous issues in the period between the collapsing of Afsharid dynasty and the rise of Zand dynasty is the role and position of Azad Khan Afghan in the developments and struggles, which has been neglected and marginalized in the shadow of Zand and Qajar historiography as well as the success of these two dynasties in forming governments. Therefore, the main question of this research concerns the role Afghan Azad Khan played in the power struggles of this period and its developments. The assumption of the article is that Azad Khan Afghan as one of the pretenders to the throne had a very effective role in the developments and struggles of this period. His role in the wars of succession of Afsharid dynasty, establishing a center of power in Azerbaijan and extending it, successive defeats of Karim Khan and the conquest of Isfahan, and the proclamation of the monarchy, as well as effective role in the wars and conflicts of Zand and Qajar dynasties indicate that Azad Khan played a very decisive role in the events of this period. The results of this study show that although Azad Khan Afghan was eventually removed from the power cycle, his military operations caused the attrition of the wars of this period, which delayed the process of transfer of power.