1719 | Political Events
Political Events
The Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein created under that name January 23 by the Holy Roman Emperor Karl VI unites Vaduz and Schellenburg into a sovereign state of 61 square miles (157 square kilometers) with his former prime minister Anton Florian, 62, as prince (see 1699). The Austrian count Hans Adam von Liechtenstein has bought the territory and its 397-year-old Vaduz Castle from another count who is heavily in debt. Anton Florian will die in 1721, but his princely house will continue its rule into the 21st century (see 1868).
The Scottish Highland chieftain Sir Ewen Cameron (of Lochiel) dies in February at age 90, having won renown for his great strength and ferocity.
Former French political power Madame de Maintenon dies at the Maison Royale de Saint-Louis at Saint-Cyr April 15 at age 83.
The Peace of Stockholm November 20 ends hostilities between Sweden and Britain's George I, who gains Bremen and Verden for 1 rix-million dollars as elector of Hanover (see Victoria, 1837).
Herat rebels against Persia's Shiite persecution, declares independence, and joins with Uzbeks in plundering Khorasan. A 30,000-man army sent by Shah Hussein to put down the uprising defeats a 12,000-man Uzbek force en route and joins battle with Herat's 15,000-man Afghan army. But Persian artillery accidentally hits Persian cavalrymen. The army suspects treachery and is thrown into confusion. The Afghans seize the opportunity to make a decisive charge, and the Persians flee, losing a third of their men, their general, their artillery, and their baggage. The Afghans lose 3,000 men (see 1722).
The Mughal emperor Farrukh-Siyar is killed by Abdullah Sayyid and his brother Hussein, who place the 19-year-old Afghan-born Nasir-ud-din Mohammad Shah on the throne; he will reign until 1748 as the Great Mughal (see 1720).