Timurid Empire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Timurid Empire
تیموریان
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1370–1526 | |||||||||||||||||||
 Flag of the Timurid dynasty[a]
|
|||||||||||||||||||
.png)
Timurid Empire at its greatest extent
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Empire in Middle east and Central Asia | ||||||||||||||||||
| Capital | Samarkand, Herat | ||||||||||||||||||
| Common languages | Chaghatai (initially, limited) & Persian (major, official) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Religion | Islam | ||||||||||||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||||||||||||
| Emir | |||||||||||||||||||
|
• 1370–1405
|
Timur | ||||||||||||||||||
|
• 1506–1507
|
Muzaffar Hussayn | ||||||||||||||||||
| Historical era | Medieval | ||||||||||||||||||
|
• Founded by Timur
|
1370 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
• Samarkand conquered by Uzbeks under Muhammad Shaybani
|
1509 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
• Herat conquered by Shaybani
|
1507 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
• Disestablished
|
1526 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Area | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1405 est. | 4,400,000 km2 (1,700,000 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
a: Flag of the Timurid Empire according to the Catalan Atlas c. 1375
|
|||||||||||||||||||
The Timurid Empire was a powerful kingdom in Asia. It was founded by a great conqueror named Timur. This empire lasted from 1370 to 1526. It covered a huge area, including modern-day Iran and Afghanistan. It also included parts of modern Pakistan, Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and the Caucasus. The Timurid Empire was known for its amazing art and culture.
What Was the Timurid Empire?
The Timurid Empire was a large kingdom. It was ruled by the Timurid dynasty. This empire was a mix of Turkic and Mongol traditions. It also had a strong Persian influence. This means its culture, art, and language were very similar to those of Persia. The empire was a center for learning and art.
Who Was Timur?
The empire was started by a famous leader named Timur. He was a powerful conqueror. Timur was born in 1336 in Central Asia. He was a brilliant military leader. He built his empire by conquering many lands. Timur wanted to bring back the glory of the old Mongol Empire. He was known for his strong will and clever strategies.
Where Was the Empire Located?
The Timurid Empire was located in a very important area. It was at the crossroads of Asia. Its lands stretched across Central Asia and the Middle East. The main cities were Samarkand and Herat. These cities became very rich and famous. They were centers for trade and culture.
Samarkand: A Grand Capital
Samarkand was one of the most important cities. Timur made it his capital. He built many grand buildings there. These included mosques, schools, and palaces. Samarkand became a beautiful city. It was known for its blue-tiled buildings. Many artists and scholars came to live there.
Herat: A Center of Art
Later, Herat became another important capital. It was especially famous for its art. Painters, poets, and musicians gathered in Herat. They created beautiful works. This period is often called a "golden age" for Persian art.
What Was Life Like in the Empire?
Life in the Timurid Empire was quite advanced for its time. The rulers supported many different fields. They encouraged science, mathematics, and astronomy. They also built many libraries. People studied many subjects there.
Art and Architecture
The Timurid Empire is famous for its amazing art. They built stunning mosques and tombs. These buildings had colorful tiles and intricate designs. They also created beautiful illustrated books. These books had detailed paintings. Many of these artworks can still be seen today.
Language and Religion
The main language used for government and culture was Persian. However, Chaghatai Turkic was also spoken. It was the language of the ruling family. The main religion of the empire was Islam. Islamic scholars and religious leaders were very important.
How Did the Empire End?
The Timurid Empire started to weaken after Timur's death in 1405. His sons and grandsons often fought for power. This made the empire less stable. Different parts of the empire broke away.
Rise of New Powers
New groups began to grow stronger. The Uzbeks conquered many northern areas. They took Samarkand in 1509. The Safavid dynasty rose in Iran. They took Herat in 1507. The last Timurid rulers lost their lands.
The Mughal Empire Connection
One Timurid prince, Babur, went to India. He founded the Mughal Empire there. This new empire carried on some Timurid traditions. So, the legacy of Timur lived on in a new land.
Related pages
Images for kids
-
Timur – Forensic facial reconstruction by M. Gerasimov, 1941
-
Folio of Poetry From the Divan of Sultan Husayn Mirza, c. 1490. Brooklyn Museum.
-
Akhangan's tomb, where Gawhar Shad's sister Gowhartāj is buried. The architecture is a fine example of the Timurid era in Persia.
-
Façade of Bibi Khanym Mosque.
._Folio_of_Poetry_From_the_Divan_of_Sultan_Husayn_Mirza,_ca._1490.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Imperio timúrida para niños
