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106
THE SCIENTIFIC LEADER OF THE MIDDLE AGES WAS MIRZO ULUGBEK AND
HIS LEGACY.
Joniuzoqova Mashhura
Karshi state university. Foreign languages department
Philology faculty First-year student
email:@mjoniuzoqova@gmail.com
Annotation:
This article describes the activities of Ulugbek as an individual, as a ruler,as a
scientist, as a father , and also relationships with his beloved ones , his scientific works, as well
as his contribution to the field of knowledge , the investigation of his scientific achievements and
the astonishment of European scholars at his discoveries. Apart from that, this article describes
the specific features of the city of Ulugbek lived and actions have already been taken after the
death of great astronomer. Historical places and museums have been built so as to engrave
Ulugbek's memories forever even after hundreds of decades. In other words this shows the role
and significance of the activities of Mirzo Ulug’bek in the history of the Republic of Uzbekistan
and the world.
Key words:
jade tombstone, conquered city, observatory, inevitable, tribute, statesman,
sparkling, virgins, hypocrites, astrologer, decimal place.
НАУЧНЫМ ЛИДЕРОМ СРЕДНЕВЕКОВЬЯ БЫЛ МИРЗО УЛУГБЕК И ЕГО
НАСЛЕДИЕ.
Аннотация:
В данной статье описывается деятельность Улугбека как Личность, как
правитель, как ученый, как отец, а также Отношения с любимыми, его научные труды, а
также как его вклад в область знаний, исследование его научные достижения и удивление
европейцев ученых на его открытия. Кроме того, эта статья описывает Особенности
города, в котором жил и действовал Улугбек уже были сделаны после смерти великого
астронома. Исторический Места и музеи были построены так, чтобы запечатлеть
Улугбека Воспоминания навсегда даже через сотни десятилетий. Другими словами это
показывает роль и значение деятельности Мирзо Улугбек в истории Республики
Узбекистан имир.
Ключевые слова:
нефритовый надгробный камень, завоеванный город, обсерватория,
неизбежность, дань, государственный деятель, сверкающий, девы, лицемеры, астролог,
десятичная дробь.
MIRZO ULUG’BEK O'RTA ASRLARNING ILMIY RAHBARI VA UNING MEROSI
Annotatsiya:
Ushbu maqola Ulug‘bek faoliyatini shaxs, hukmdor, olim, ota sifatida va
shuningdek yaqin qarindoshlari bilan munosabatlarini tasvirlaydi. Uning ilmiy ishlari, shu bilan
birga uning bilim sohasiga qo‘shgan hissasi va
ilm-fanda erishgan yutuqlari hamda hatto
yevropaliklarni hayratda qoldirgan kashfiyotlari haqida ham ma’lumot beriladi. Bundan tashqari,
artikl Ulug‘bek yashagan shaharning o‘ziga jalb qiladigan xususiyatlarini va Ulug‘bek vafotidan
keyin amalga oshirilgan bir qancha tahsinga sazovor ishlarni o‘z ichiga oladi. Qolaversa,
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Original article
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Ulug‘bek xotirasini hattoki bir necha yuz yillardan keyin ham bir umrga abadiylashtirish
maqsadida tarixiy muzeylar va binolar qurildi. Boshqa so‘z bilan aytganda ushbu artikl
Ulug‘bek faoliyatining nafaqat O‘zbekiston Respublikasida, balki butun dunyoda qanchalik
muhim ahamiyat kasb etishini ko‘rsatib beradi.
Kalit so‘zlar:
nefrit toshi, egallangan shahar, rasadxona, sekstant, zilzila, muqarrar, o'lpon,
davlat arbobi, porloq, zarar yetkazilmagan, riyokor, munajjim, o'nlik.
Introduction.
In recent years, at the end of the 20
th
century and the beginning of the 21
st
century,
particularly after the Republic of Uzbekistan gained the independence, the historical, cultural,
practical, scientific , social aspects of studying and researching on the significance of the role
and actions of Ulugbek in the history of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the history of all over
the globe . About the life of Ulugbek: Before move onto Ulugbek’s life it would be better to
notify the origins of Temur and Temurids. The origin of the Temurid dynasty goes back to the
Mongol tribe known as Barlas, who were remnants of the Mongol army of Genghis Khan
founder of the Mongol Empire. After the Mongol conquest of Central Asia, the Barlas settled in
what is today southern Kazakhstan, from Shymkent to Taraz and Almaty, which then came to be
known for a time as Moghulistan – “Land of Mongols” in Persian – and intermingled to a
considerable degree with the local Turkic and Turkic-speaking population, so that at the time of
Timur’s reign the Barlas had become thoroughly Turkicized in terms of language and habits.
Additionally, by adopting Islam, the Central Asian Turks and Mongols adopted the Persian
literary and high culturewhich had dominated Central Asia since the early days of Islamic
influence. Persian literature was instrumental in the assimilation of the Timurid elite into the
Perso-Islamic courtly culture Mirzo Muhammad ibn Shohruh ibn Temur Ulugbek Qoragoni
(1394-1449) – a great astronomer and mathematician, a prominent figure of his time, a state ruler,
who governed Movarounnahr from 1441 to 1449, a famous ruler and conqueror, the grandson of
Amir Temur. Ulugbek (Muhammad Taragay) was born on March 22, 1394, in the city of
Sultaniya, present-day Azerbaijan.
In 1405, following the death of a great conqueror who created a vast empire stretching
from Central Asia to the Middle East, all his legacy passed to his sons and grandsons. Shohruh,
the grandson of temur, was placed at the head of the Timurid Empire in the capital of Herat.
Shohruh, the only son of the ruler of Mavarannahr, was assigned to Ulugbek. In 1409, Ulugbek
was appointed as the governor of Samarkand, and after the death of his father, he became the
ruler, and in 1447, he became the head of the Timurid dynasty.
About his childhood.
From a young age, Ulugbek showed great interest in various fields
of knowledge and arts, especially mathematics and astronomy. His intellectual curiosity led to
the establishment of a large library where he spent a lot of time. Despite being busy with state
affairs, Ulugbek devoted much time to learning. He had an exceptional memory, mastered
Arabic and Persian languages, had a good knowledge of Turkish (old uzbek) jurisprudence, and
participated in literary discussions. He also wrote poetry himself. Ulugbek’s mentor was the
famous mathematician and astronomer Qozizoda Rumiy, who showed Ulugbek the famous
observatories in Maragha (South Azerbaijan) when he was nine years old. These memories from
his childhood might have shaped Ulugbek’s future as an astronomer. His intellectual attitude was
streng then by the rich library of his grandfather (Temurlane-Amir Temur) and his father
(Shokhrukh). The birth of Ulugbek saved the live of many people. In 1394. Amir Temur laid
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siege to the Mordin fortress in Iraq. At this time, Ulugbek was born in the Sultan’s residence of
Sahibkiran. Historian Sharafiddin Ali Yazdi writes in his work “Zafarnoma” that the envoy came
to Amir Temur and told him good news about the birth of Ulugbek and that astrologers predicted
that this grandson would become both a scientist and a ruler in the future. Sahibkiran with joy
stops the siege of the Morda fortress and cancels the ransom imposed on his people.
The beginning of being a sovereign.
In 1405, after the death of the great Sahibkiran, a
huge state created by him, which, in addition to Central Asia, covered the entire territory of the
Near and Middle East from the Mediterranean to northern India inclusive, passed to his sons and
grandchildren. At the head of the Temurid dynasty was Shakhrukh, the son of Temur, who chose
Herat as his residence. Mawaraunnahr was left to Shahrukh’s eldest son, Amir Temur’s grandson
Ulugbek. In 1409 Ulugbek was declared ruler of Samarkand and in 1447, after the death of his
father, Shahrukh became the head of the Temurid dynasty. He attended many fights sometimes
he won or sometimes he lost but when Ulugbek started a fighting in 1425 in Moghulistan by the
allowance of his father, he defeated the Mughals. Apart from conquered city, people, places all
things related to that gained place, there was two Jade stones. He put jade tombstone on the
grave of his grand father. Representatives of the Timurid dynasty are buried in the mausoleum of
Emir Guri in Samarkand. At the top of the sanctuary is Mir Sayyid Baraka, the patron of Timur,
at the foot of his grave Amir Temur is buried. A blue jade tombstone carved on the grave of
Timur was brought by Ulugbek during his campaign in Mongolia. Words glorifying Timur and
his genealogy are carved on a stone slab. Later, Ulugbek himself was buried here.
The activities Ulugbek has taken.
Under Mirzo Ulugbek, Samarkand became one of the
world centres of medieval science. Here, in Samarkand in the first half of the XV century,
around Ulugbek a whole scientific school was founded, which united prominent astronomers and
mathematicians – Giyasiddin Jamshid Kashi, Kazizade Rumi, Ali Kushchi. In Samarkand at that
time lived the historian Hafizi Abru, who wrote a remarkable work on the history of Central Asia,
the famous physician Mavlono Nefis, the poets Sirajiddin Samarkandi, Sakkaki, Lutfi,
Badakhshi, etc. The school was attended by a number of prominent astronomers and
mathematicians. They were advanced people of their time, who believed in the power of the
human mind, in the power of science.
In 1417-1420 Mirzo Ulugbek built a medresse in Samarkand, which was the first building
of the Registan architectural ensemble. Mirzo Ulugbek invited many astronomers and
mathematicians from the Islamic world to this madress. The other two madrasahs were built in
Gijduvan and Bukhara. The madrasahs built by Ulugbek served as universities. On the portal of
the Ulugbek madrasah in Bukhara the inscription “The desire for knowledge is the duty of every
Muslim” has been preserved.
Observatory.
But the passion of Mirzo Ulugbek was astronomy. The creation of an
observatory was a life-task for Ulugbek and his astronomer colleagues like Kazizade Rumi,
Jemshid Giyas-ad-din-al Kashi, Ali Kushchi and others. According to researchers, the
construction of the observatory was completed in 1428-1429. The observatory was a unique
structure for its time. In order to make the building resistant to earthquakes, the stony foot of the
Kuhak hill was chosen as the site for the construction of the observatory. The main instrument,
the sextant, was aligned along the meridian line from south to north. Besides the main instrument,
the observatory also contained other astronomical instruments. The size of the sextant, its
successful design and the scientific knowledge of Ulugbek and his colleagues made precise
astronomical observations possible. The main work of the Ziji Guragan Observatory, Ulugbek’s
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star charts, was compiled under the direction and with the participation of Ulugbek’s great
astronomer. The catalogue contains the coordinates of 1018 stars, which were defined by this
observatory in Samarkand for the first time after Hipparkhus with incredible accuracy. The
compilation of the astronomical catalogue is an outstanding contribution to the treasure trove of
astronomical science worldwide. The observatory also carried out work to determine the
inclination of the ecliptic to the equator and the length of the sidereal year; to calculate the sine
value from one degree – an important astronomical constant – to the eighteenth decimal place!
Among historical monuments of Samarkand observatory takes particular place,
constructed by Ulugbek on one of the hills on height, at the bottom of Chupanata altitude.By
Babur’s words, which saw the observatory, it was three-storied covered with beautiful glazed
titles building of round form 46 meters in diameter, 30 meters in height. In the main hall huge
instrument was placed for observations of Moon, Sun, and other stars of the vault of
heaven.Observatory was unique construction for its time.The basis of observatory was giant
goniometer vertical circle), radius of circle was equal 40,212 meters, and the length of arc was
63 meters. The main instrument-sextant was oriented with amazing exactness by line of meridian
from south to north.Test establishments of modern astronomers Kastalsk and Sheglov are the
evidence to it. Sizes of the main instrument, lucky construction, scientific knowledge of Ulugbek
and his companion-in-arms provided amazing exactness of astronomic observations.
“Experience had known about planets movement, is delivered for keeping to this book” –
Ulugbek was writing. In this work basics of astronomic observations are summarized, made by
east scientists.After Ulugbek’s death observatory was destroyed and robbed by religious fans.
Only in 1908 archaeologist Vyatkin found first document where location of observatory was
mentioned. Unfortunately only underground part of sextant and basis of the building were saved.
By found documents scientists made the model of the observatory.Remarkable scientific center
was destroyed, valuable library was plundered, and scientists were chased away. Sheikhs
announced the hill as the place of grave “Forty virgins” and built here mausoleum, place of
pilgrimage, bringing big profits to hypocrites. Like this Samarkand priesthood was trying to
suppress in people member of torch of science-Ulugbek and his observatory.
Mirzo Ulugbek checked his data many times and concluded that his figures were correct.
In 1437 he determined the length of the astronomical year: 365 days 6 hours 10 minutes 8
seconds. As it turned out later, the measuring error was only 58 seconds. If we take into account
that the length of the astronomical year is 31 million 558 thousand 150 seconds, it becomes clear
with what high accuracy Ulugbek made measurements.As a great scientist Ulugbek was a weak
military commander. He spent most of his time in an observatory and little time on public affairs.
Mirzo Ulugbek’s eldest son, Abd al-Letif, who was influenced by a radical section of the clergy,
declared war on him. The son offered his father a pilgrimage to Mecca. On the way to Mecca,
Ulugbek was treacherously killed in 1449 by a decision of the Sharia court.After the tragic death
of the great Ulugbek, the reactionary part of the clergy provoked a pogrom of the observatory.
The scientists who worked at this outstanding scientific centre were disbanded. The most
valuable library was looted, the building was looted. At the end of the XVII century nothing was
left of it.But with the death of the great astronomer his bright star did not die out. The faithful
disciple of Ulugbek Ali Kushchi, who was forced to leave his home Samarkand, brought the star
book “Ziji Guragan” to Europe. Later it passed into the possession of many generations of
scientists. The name and works of Ulugbek became known among scientists in Europe and Asia.
In the “Catalogue of the Starry Skies”, published in Europe in the 17th century by Johannes
Hevelius, there is an engraving that represents a symbolic collection of the greatest astronomers
in the world who lived at different times and in different countries. They sit at the table, on either
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side of the muse of astronomy in Urania. Ulugbek is also depicted among them. The author of
the engraving depicted Ulugbek without having his portrait.Ziji Jadidi Guragani or the New
Guragan Astronomical Tablet is rightly considered Ulugbek’s main scientific work. After thirty
years of painstaking work and astronomical observations, the author completed this work in
1444. The Astronomical Manual was soon translated into Latin and, together with the
astronomical tables of Claudius Ptolemy Almagest and King Alfonso XV, was a guide to
astronomy in all the observatories of Europe.The accuracy of these tables surpassed anything
previously achieved in the Orient and in Europe. It was not until the XVIIth century that Tycho
Brahe managed to achieve and then surpass a comparable accuracy with the observations of
Samarkand. It is not surprising that the Ulugbek zije constantly attracted the attention of
astronomers both in the Orient and in Europe.“The Ulugbek Ziji consists of four major parts. The
first, called Chronology, contains the explanation of the methods of chronology accepted by
various peoples of the Orient. The second describes the questions of practical astronomy, the
third provides information about the visible movements of the celestial bodies based on the
geocentric system of the world, and the fourth is devoted to astrology – an inevitable tribute of
science to the medieval world view.
The catalogue of 1018 stars, calculated by Ulugbek, is a compass for astronomers and
historians studying ancient chronology. The star charts of Ulugbek confirm the truth of
Ptolemy’s Star Atlas in “Almagest“. In 1648 in Oxford – one of England’s oldest scientific and
cultural centres – the main work of the famous Samarkand Observatory of Ulugbek was first
partially published. The work was prepared for printing and commented by John Grieves (1602 –
1652), professor of astronomy at Oxford University. Later fragments of the catalogue were
published several times in England. Seventeen years after the first Oxford publication, Thomas
Hyde (1636-1703), a scientific curator at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, an English orientalist
and translator, prepared a new edition of the Samarkand catalogue entitled “Tabulae Long, as Lat.
Stellarum Fixarum, ex Ulugh Beighi”, Oxonii, 1665.
The publication of Ulugbek’s tables in Europe coincided with the period when the original
star catalogues, whose compilation required great and persistent observation and calculation,
were numbered in units and were highly valued by celestial researchers. They were of great
practical importance because the methods of orientation on the surface of the earth have always
been based on observations of stars. Site selection, on the other hand, was particularly necessary
in view of the rapid development of navigation after major geographical discoveries. 25 years
after Hyde’s Oxford publication, Ulugbek’s table data find their place on the pages of the book
“Prodromus Astronomiae” by the outstanding Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius (1611-1687),
published in Gdańsk Here they are compared with data from other catalogues available at that
time: Ptolemy, Tycho Brahe, Riccioli, Prince Gus and Hevelius.In 1839 the French Orientalist
Louis Pierre Eugène Amélie Sédillot (1808-1876) published a part of Ulugbek’s tables with the
title “Tables astronomigue d’Oloug Beg, commentees et publiees avec le texte en regard”, Tome
I, I fascicule, Paris, 1839.Finally, the most detailed analysis of Ulugbek’s Catalogue of Stars,
based on a study of 8 manuscripts in the possession of libraries in Great Britain, was published in
1917 in the United States by E. B. Noble under the title “Ulugh Beg’s Catalogue of Stars”.
Revised after all Persian manuscripts existing in Great Britain”.It should be noted that there are
dozens of manuscript copies of “Ziji” in the book depots of Europe and Asia. The star tables of
Ulugbek were the last word in medieval astronomy.
About death of Mirzo Ulugbek The son of Padarkush could not live even half of his father’s life.
Ulugbek was executed near Samarkand on October 27, 1449 at the age of 55 with the approval
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of his stubborn, selfish and ambitious son Abdullatif. Abdullatif, who had taken his father’s
throne, was also killed on May 8, 1450, at the age of 27, by Grandfather Hussein Bahodir, one of
Ulugbek’s prominent military leaders, after a six-month reign.
Conclusion.
Mirzo Ulug’bek left with great impression on people not only his governing
skills, but also being astrologer at the same time. Continuing to study the life and scientific
heritage of Ulugbek, more and more writers write novels or poem relating to the both personal
and military life of Ulugbek. For example , one of the most popular masterpieces about Ulugbek
is “Mirzo Ulug‘bek“ by Maksud Shaykhzoda, which tells about the king, astronomer, scientist,
mathematician, humanist – the still sparkling star of Samafkand Mirzo Ulugbek. In order to
keep memories forever , by governing bodies a number of statues and museums are built, and
given names for places, streets and distristatue Depending on “Dunyo” agency reports, as part of
the development of interstate diplomacy between Uzbekistan and France, a statue of the great
astronomer, scientist, mathematician, and statesman Mirzo Ulugbek was installed on the territory
of the French National Institute of Civil Aviation, located in Toulouse, the aerospace capital of
Europe.
References
1.
Ashraf, Ahmad (2006). “IRANIAN IDENTITY iii. MEDIEVAL ISLAMIC PERIOD”. In
Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica, Volume XIII/5:
2.
Ahmad Y. al-Hassan and Donald R. Hill -
Islamic Technology: An Illustrated History
.
Discusses technological advances in the Islamic Golden Age, including observatories.
1. Ahmedov Bo‘riboy.O‘zbekiston tarixi manbalari. T.:”O‘qituvchi”.1991.
2. Ahmedov Bo‘riboy. Amir Temur va Ulug‘bek zamondoshlari
3. Edward S. Kennedy -
Studies in the Islamic Exact Sciences
. Provides analysis on Ulug'bek’s
contributions to astronomy and mathematics.
3.
George Saliba -
Islamic Science and the Making of the European Renaissance
. Discusses
the influence of Islamic scholars like Ulug‘bek on the later scientific developments in Europe.
4.
Maksud Shaykhzoda -
Mirzo Ulug‘bek
(biographical literature). Provides a cultural and
historical perspective on Ulug'bek's life and influence.
5.
Ulug’bek’s “Zij-i Sultani” - This primary source is his renowned star catalog and
provides foundational astronomical data.
6.
Seyyed Hossein Nasr -
Islamic Science: An Illustrated Study
. This book elaborates on
contributions of key figures like Ulug'bek to the field of astronomy.
7.
Semyonov A. A. -
The History of Central Asian Astronomy
. Covers major contributions
of Central Asian scholars, including Ulug'bek.
8.
Victor L. Vyatkin - Research articles on Ulug'bek’s observatory excavations, published in
the early 20th century, provide first-hand insights into his findings.
9.
O‘zbekiston Fanlar Akademiyasi -
Collected Works on Mirzo Ulug‘bek
. A compilation of
research focusing on Ulug‘bek’s achievements and legacy in Uzbekistan.
