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AMIR TIMUR – THE FOUNDER OF A CENTRALIZED STATE AND MILITARY
LEADER
Dilshod B. Batirov
Associated professor of the Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Abstract:
This article describes the brief life and activities of great warlord Amir Timur, his
bravery in front of people, his loyalty and boundless love for the homeland and his people,
his military activities, management system.
Key words:
state,Maverannahr, Khurasan, empire, statesman, development, culture, history,
strata, scholar, army, warrior.
Amir Timur – a distinguished statesman, a talented military leader, a skilled diplomat, a patron
of science and culture, a figure who made a significant contribution to the development of
human civilization.
Thanks to Amir Timur’s unification of vast
geographical territories with varying levels of
culture into a single centralized state, conditions
were created for a flourishing of culture, which
scholars later termed the “Timurid Renaissance”
[1]
During the reign of Amir Timur, a new type of
statehood was first established in Central Asia.
In his governance, he relied on three principles:
steadfast faith, justice, and strong authority, the
foundation of which was the principle “Strength
in Justice.” More than 600 years have passed
since the death of Amir Timur, yet interest in this remarkable figure persists, and historians from
many countries continue to study his life and activities, dedicating their works to him. [2]
Amir Timur was born on April 8, 1336, in the settlement of Khoja-Ilgar near the city of Kesh
(now Shahrisabz). Amir Timur’s father, Amir Taragai, was from a noble family of the Barlas
clan, belonging to the military nobility of beks. In his renowned work, “Empire of the Steppes”,
René Grousset wrote about Amir Timur: “Timurid historians attempted to trace his lineage back
to one of Genghis Khan’s companions and even to attribute it to the Genghizid family. In reality,
he was in no way Mongolian, he was a Turk. He belonged to one of the noble families of
Transoxiana, belonging to the Barlas clan and possessing estates around Kesh, of which they
were rulers.” [3]
In 1370, at a kurultai of local nobility and military leaders, Amir Timur was proclaimed ruler of
Maverannahr. Declaring Samarkand as the capital, Timur turned his attention to the organization
of internal affairs within his state. His primary task was overcoming fragmentation and uniting
disparate holdings into a strong, centralized state. Amir Timur retained the Mongol
administrative system – the division into tumans – appointing loyal individuals as heads of
tumans and hazrab.
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The reign of Amir Timur lasted 35 years. He established a centralized state stretching from the
Indus and Ganges to the Syr Darya and Zeravshan rivers, from the Tian Shan mountains to the
Bosporus. In addition to Maverannahr and Khwarazm, Amir Timur’s state included Ferghana,
Shash, the regions surrounding the Caspian Sea, Afghanistan, Turkey, India, Iran, Iraq, the
Caucasus, the southern territories of Russia, and several countries of Western Asia. In total, he
managed to unite 27 states and territories.
Timur, in order to strengthen and expand his empire, created a powerful and battle-ready army.
Timur himself was a brave and talented commander. He demonstrated his military talent, for
example, in the Battle of Kunduzcha
(Kundurca near Chistopol, Russia), defeating
the formidable forces of Tokhtamysh, or in
the Battle of Ankara, defeating the troops of
the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid the Thunderbolt.
Along with the trophies, they brought to
Samarkand,
Shahrisabz,
and
Bukhara
prominent scholars, skilled artisans, musicians,
and others. Timur spent the acquired wealth
on the improvement of cities and settlements.
He not only improved the cities of
Maverannahr, Turkestan, and Khurasan, but
rebuilt many cities in conquered lands (for
example, Baghdad, Derbent, Baylaqan, and others).
Overall, it is essential to emphasize that the primary outcomes of Amir Timur’s military and
political activities included the formation and development of a strong, centralized state, the
liberation of the peoples of Central Asia from Mongol domination, the cessation of feudal civil
strife, and the establishment of stability and order, as well as the restoration of the Central Asian
section of the Great Silk Road.
Amir Timur also made a significant contribution to the economic and cultural development not
only of Maverannahr, but also of the countries of Central and Near East, fostering their
rapprochement.
In order to establish a powerful empire, Amir Timur placed great importance on foreign policy.
Active diplomatic engagement facilitated the creation of strong relationships with numerous
countries. The export and import of goods developed, and trade and economic relations were
established with China, India, the Russian state, Spain, France, England, Byzantium, and other
nations.
Under Amir Timur, artisanal production and trade experienced further development. Centers of
craftsmanship and commerce included Samarkand, Bukhara, Tashkent, Termez, Kesh, Qarshi,
and others. Timur’s reign witnessed a revival of the material and spiritual culture of
Maverannahr. Extensive urban construction projects were undertaken, attracting the finest
architects of Central Asia and Khurasan. He paid particular attention to the cities of Samarkand
and Shahrisabz.
The skillfully organized political administration of Amir Timur became the cause of a powerful
cultural upsurge, the development of spirituality, and the growth of the people’s prosperity.
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Amir Timur’s political views found expression in his “Regulations” (“Code”). These
“Regulations” function as a kind of constitution, outlining the process of governing the state and
all related aspects. The very word “Regulations” derives from “to arrange,” “to lay out,” and in a
certain sense, “to codify.” In this instance, “Regulations” is understood as a charter, a
compendium of rules.
Timur’s “Regulations” were compiled by him based on various life experiences and their
profound reflection. The immediate impetus for creating the “Regulations” was the desire to
summarize his own experience in state administration, to formulate the rules by which he lived
and which he recommended his descendants observe. Amir Timur wrote: “May these rules serve
them as guidance, both in their conduct and in the governance of the state, so that they may
preserve the state I leave to them”. [4]
Timur’s “Regulations” serve as a sort of testament from Timur to his descendants and comprise
two parts: a biography of Amir Timur from 1342 to 1381 and the “Regulations” themselves, that
is, a unique guide to the organization of the state and the army.
Written in Old Uzbek, it survived to our time only in a 17th-century Persian translation. The
“Regulations” dedicates considerable attention to the main pillars of the state: officials and
military commanders, down to the rank-and-file soldier. A vital component of the state’s
governance system was the army, to the strengthening and improvement of which Amir Timur
gave exceptional importance. The “Regulations” defines the rights and obligations of all, from
the ruler to the common warrior. Timur’s army was the largest and most powerful army of the
Middle Ages, both in organizational and tactical terms. The army was structured, as mentioned
above, according to the decimal system: divided into tens, hundreds, thousands, and ten thousand.
Under Timur, the foundation of state governance became law and its strict enforcement, respect
and adherence to the precepts of Islam, and a firm, consistent policy.
Timur, in his “Regulations,” stated that state governance was based on twelve principles. “Now,
instructions to my illustrious sons and capable grandsons, who are destined to rule the country; I
made twelve principles my motto and, thanks to them, achieved such a degree of governance.
With the aid of these principles, I conquered the land, ruled it, and adorned the throne…” [5].
Timur divided his state into four parts among his sons: Balkh was given to the eldest, Jahangir;
Fars to Umarsheikh; Iraq and the Caucasus to Miranshah; and Khurasan to Shahrukh. However,
Maverannahr remained under Timur’s direct control. Consequently, the empire of Amir Timur
comprised a collection of united feudal domains. The distribution of authority within the system
of power reflected a high level of political and legal culture.
The “Regulations” begins with an exposition of 12 rules of state governance. Timur bequeathed
to his descendants: “May these rules serve them as guidance both in their conduct and in the
administration of the state, so that they may preserve the state I leave for them.” Among the rules:
the regular holding of kurultays (congress) on all vital matters of public life. These were
conducted not only in Samarkand (the capital of the state) but also in other regions, depending on
where Timur himself was located; reliance on 12 distinct strata of society (scholars, shaikhs,
pious individuals, officers, warriors, and the common people, viziers and secretaries, physicians
and astrologers, historians and chroniclers, elders, artisans of every kind, travelers); consultation
with the wise; adherence to laws and justice; respect for officers and soldiers. [6]
The rights and obligations of the emirs were clearly defined in the “Regulation”. Emirs, like
viziers, were to be of noble lineage and possess qualities such as discernment, courage,
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enterprise, caution, and thrift, as well as experience in living amongst soldiers and tolerance. As
stated in the “Regulation”, the law was equal for all – for the vizier and the emir, as well as for
common subjects.
The “Regulation” emphasized the importance of punishing all those who violate the laws, abuse
their authority, or fail to fulfill their duties. It was particularly strict regarding those responsible
for maintaining order, the state officials. Rules for both moral and material rewards for loyal
subjects were also outlined – from the rank-and-file soldier and ordinary citizen to the highest-
ranking state officials.
The “Regulations” defined the fundamental principles of sensible taxation policy, which serves
as a criterion for the economic development of the state and the replenishment of the treasury.
“When collecting taxes, one must be wary of burdening the people or devastating the provinces,
because the impoverishment of the people leads to the impoverishment of the state treasury.”
Taxes were determined by the productivity of the lands and were differentiated. The primary tax
was the land tax – “kharja” (commodity, goods), which was collected only after the harvest.
The “Regulations” states that “... power not based on religion and law will not maintain its
position and strength for a long time. Therefore, I founded the edifice of my greatness upon
Islam, adding to its rules and laws which I strictly observed throughout my reign.” Evaluating
the significance of the “Regulations”, the renowned historian, translator, and publisher of this
book into French, L. Langlès, in 1787, wrote: “Timur bequeathed to his descendants, along with
the empire, a gift even more precious – the art of preserving it” [6]. Therefore, this book
constitutes an important document both concerning the history of state development and law.
Amir Timur’s primary contribution to the peoples of Central Asia lay in ending feudal
fragmentation and internecine warfare, liberating Maverannahr from Mongol oppression, uniting
its population, and laying the foundation for a centralized state, establishing peace, and exerting
every effort for the country’s further development.
The state created by Amir Timur relied on all existing social strata of the time and was governed
on the basis of legality. Timur ensured the supremacy of law within the country.
Amir Timur entered history as a great builder, a patron of science and culture. He demonstrated
immense initiative and dedication in restoring what had been devastated by years of feudal
fragmentation and disturbances in the people’s economy, in rebuilding cities, and in improving
the country. He made an invaluable contribution to the development of science and culture
within the realm.
Thus, the foundation of Amir Timur’s state policy was the principle: “
Strength lies in justice
.”
The success of Amir Timur’s state was predicated on the following factors:
State governance was based on proven and effective laws and regulations;
Crucial state decisions were made after deliberation by competent politicians, elders, and
military commanders in councils;
The strength of the state ensured internal and external security of the country, which naturally
formed the basis for stable socio-political development of society;
Islam served as a means to implement the state’s progressive policies, uniting and mobilizing
citizens;
The state demonstrated a commitment to creating favorable conditions so that citizens, according
to their individual abilities, could secure their material well-being;
The state regarded science and culture as vital factors in societal development;
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The rulers possessed strong organizational skills and were educated proponents of enlightenment;
The construction and betterment of the country were under the close attention of the state, and so
forth.
Today, as our state successfully addresses the tasks of building a socially-oriented New
Uzbekistan, many aspects of Amir Timur’s legacy appear remarkably relevant. A primary
priority at this stage is stability within society, peace, and harmony among the people. The
foundation for such stability in Uzbekistan must be the continued strengthening of the state and
the principles of civil society.
Sources
1. Menkim, sohibqiron-jahongir Temur. (Marsel Brion-Fransiya)/ –T.: “Yangi asr avlodi”, –
2021.
2. Bretschneider E. Mediaeval Researches from Eastern Asiatic sources. Fragments towards the
knowledge of the geography and history of Central and Western Asia from the 13
th
to the 17th
century. London. Vol.I-II, 1888.
3. Bartold, V.V. Timur and the Timurids. History of Turkestan. Works on the History of Central
Asia. Writings, Vol. II, Pt. 1, Moscow, 1963.
4. Ziyodulla Muqimov “Amir Temur tuzuklari”. Samarqand, 2008.
5. Rui González de Clavijo. Diary of a Journey to Samarkand to the Court of Timur (1403-1406),
Moscow, 1990.
6. Darwin, John. After Tamerlane: The Rise and Fall of Global Empires. 2008.
