# Timur

> the founder of the Timurid Empire (1370–1405)

**Wikidata**: [Q8462](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8462)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timur)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/timur

## Summary
Timur, also known as Tamerlane or Timur the Lame, was a Turco-Mongol conqueror and warrior who founded the Timurid Empire in 1370. He ruled until his death in 1405 and became one of history's most formidable military leaders.

## Biography
- Born: April 9, 1336
- Nationality: Central Asia (historical Timurid territories)
- Education: Not specified
- Known for: Founding the Timurid Empire and leading vast military conquests across Western, Southern, and Central Asia
- Employer(s): Self-established ruler; led personal campaigns and state-building efforts
- Field(s): Military conquest, empire-building, governance

## Contributions
Timur established the Timurid Empire through a series of conquests that reshaped the political map of Eurasia. His campaigns extended from present-day Turkey to India, leaving a legacy of territorial expansion and cultural influence. He was succeeded by Khalil Sultan, continuing the Timurid dynasty after his death on February 19, 1405.

## FAQs
**What is Timur most famous for?**  
Timur is most famous for founding the Timurid Empire in 1370 and leading one of the most devastating and effective military campaigns in history, which influenced regions from the Middle East to South Asia.

**Who succeeded Timur?**  
Khalil Sultan, his grandson, succeeded him as the leader of the Timurid Empire after Timur's death in 1405.

**What are some notable artifacts or references associated with Timur?**  
The Timur Ruby, a large red spinel once owned by Timur, later became part of Queen Victoria’s jewelry collection. Additionally, Tamerlane chess is a medieval chess variant linked to his era.

**Was Timur involved in any cultural or artistic developments?**  
Yes, Timurid art flourished under the empire he founded, contributing significantly to Persianate culture and influencing later Mughal and Persian artistic traditions.

**Are there any modern references to Timur?**  
Modern references include the dinosaur genus *Timurlengia*, named in his honor, and the opera *Tamerlano* by Georg Friedrich Händel, which dramatizes aspects of his life.

## Why They Matter
Timur's conquests reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Eurasia, influencing the rise and fall of empires such as the Ottoman Empire and the Delhi Sultanate. His descendants, including Babur, would go on to found the Mughal Empire in India. The Timurid dynasty, which he initiated, played a pivotal role in the cultural and scientific flourishing of the Persianate world. His legacy is also preserved in art, literature, and even paleontology, where his name continues to inspire scientific nomenclature.

## Notable For
- Founding the Timurid Empire (1370)
- Leading military campaigns across Western, Southern, and Central Asia
- Establishing a lineage that influenced Persianate and Central Asian culture for centuries
- Inspiring artistic and literary works, including the opera *Tamerlano*
- Being associated with the Timur Ruby, now part of British royal heritage
- Influencing the rise of successor states like the Mughal Empire

## Body

### Early Life and Rise to Power
Timur was born on April 9, 1336, in the region of modern-day Uzbekistan. He belonged to the Barlas tribe, a Turco-Mongol group. His early life was shaped by the fragmented political landscape of post-Mongol Central Asia. Through strategic alliances and military prowess, he gradually consolidated power, eventually declaring himself the ruler of a vast empire.

### Empire and Military Campaigns
Timur founded the Timurid Empire in 1370, which at its peak stretched from the Mediterranean to India. His military campaigns were marked by their brutality and effectiveness. He conquered large parts of Persia, the Caucasus, Mesopotamia, and India. His invasion of Delhi in 1398 was particularly devastating, resulting in the massacre of thousands and the looting of immense wealth.

### Cultural and Political Legacy
Timur's empire became a center of art and learning, especially in Samarkand, which he made a cultural capital. Timurid art flourished under his patronage, influencing Persian, Central Asian, and later Mughal aesthetics. The empire also left a lasting architectural legacy, including monuments like the Gur-e Amir, where Timur was eventually buried.

### Death and Succession
Timur died on February 19, 1405, during a campaign to invade China. He was succeeded by his grandson, Khalil Sultan, though internal conflicts soon fragmented the empire. Despite this, the Timurid legacy endured through various successor states and cultural movements.

### Modern Legacy
Timur's influence extends into modern times. The Timur Ruby, a 399.52-carat red spinel, is now part of the British Crown Jewels. His name also appears in unexpected places, such as the genus *Timurlengia*, a fossil reptile discovered in North America. Additionally, his life has inspired operas like *Tamerlano* and references in global historical narratives.

### Connections and Related Entities
Timur’s empire is closely associated with several historical and cultural artifacts:
- **Timurid Art**: Flourished under his patronage and influenced Persian and Central Asian culture.
- **Timur Ruby**: A large red spinel, not a ruby, once owned by Timur and later incorporated into Queen Victoria’s jewelry.
- **Tamerlane Chess**: A medieval chess variant associated with his era.
- **Tamerlano (Opera)**: A dramatic portrayal of Timur’s life by Georg Friedrich Händel.
- **Timurlengia (Genus)**: A fossil reptile named in honor of Timur.
- **Timati**: A modern Russian rapper whose name echoes Timur’s legacy.

Timur’s life and legacy remain a cornerstone in the study of Central Asian history, military strategy, and cultural development.

## References

1. China Biographical Database
2. LIBRIS. 2012
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. BnF authorities
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. CiNii Research
7. Integrated Authority File
8. SNAC
9. Find a Grave
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Autoritats UB
12. CERL Thesaurus
13. BabelNet
14. Quora
15. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/timur)
16. FactGrid
17. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
18. HMML Authority File
19. Catalogo of the National Library of India