description Timur (Tamerlane) Overview
Timur, also known in European sources as Tamerlane, was a Central Asian conqueror who lived from 1336 to 1405 and founded the Timurid Empire. A member of the Barlas tribal elite, he ruled from Samarkand and led campaigns across Persia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and northern India, including the sack of Delhi in 1398. His armies caused extensive destruction and mass death. His dynasty later fostered major developments in Persianate art, architecture, and scholarship.
help Timur (Tamerlane) FAQ
Are Timur and Tamerlane the same historical ruler?
Yes. Timur, who lived from 1336 to 1405, was called Tamerlane in many European sources and founded the Timurid Empire. The British Museum dates his life to 1336 to 1405 and identifies him as a Timurid ruler. [British Museum](https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG14668)
Why is Samarkand so closely linked to Timur?
Timur ruled from Samarkand and made it the political center of his empire. He sponsored major building projects there, helping turn the city into a lasting symbol of Timurid power.
Was Timur a Mongol or a Turkic ruler?
He came from the Barlas, a Turco-Mongol tribal group in Central Asia, and operated in a Persianate political world. Timur was not a direct descendant of Genghis Khan, so he used marriage alliances and Chinggisid puppet khans to strengthen his legitimacy.
Which famous campaigns did Timur lead?
He invaded the Delhi Sultanate in 1398 and defeated Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I at the Battle of Ankara in 1402. Those campaigns carried Timurid power from India to Anatolia.
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