Timur

: For the chess engine Tamerlane, see Tamerlane.

References

Timur's generally recognized biographers are Ali Vazdl, commonly called Sharif ud-Din, author of the Persian Zafarnãma, translated by Peter de la Croix in 1722, and from French into English by J. Darby in the following year; and Ahmed ibis Mohammed ibn Abdallah, al-Dimashici, al-Ajrni, commonly called Ahmed Ibn Arabshah (Arab Shah meaning emperor of the Arabs), author of the Arabic Afaibu al-Makhlnkat, translated by the Dutch Orientalist Colitis in 1636. In the work of the former, as Sir William Jones remarks, "the Tatarian conqueror is represented as a liberal, benevolent and illustrious prince", in that of the latter he is "deformed and impious, of a low birth and detestable principles." But the favourable account was written under the personal supervision of Timur's grandson, Ibrahim, while the other was the production of his direst enemy.

Related Topics:
1722 - French - English - Arabs - 1636 - Sir William Jones

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Among less reputed biographies or materials for biography may be mentioned a second Zafarnãma, by ?MavlgnA NjzSmu? ad-Din Shanab Ghãzãni (Nizãm Shami), stated to be the earliest known history of Timur, and the only one written in his lifetime. Vol I of the ?Matla?u?s-Sa?dasn??, a choice Persian manuscript work of 1495. Timur's purported autobiography, the Tuzuk-i Temur (Institutes of Temur) is a later fabrication although most of the historical facts are accurate.

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On an interesting note, Timur's body was exhumed from his tomb in 1941 by the renowned Russian anthropologist Mikhail M. Gerasimov. The scientist found that Timur's facial characteristics conformed to that of Mongoloid features, supporting Timur's notion, in some part, that he was descended from Genghis Khan. His height was 5 foot 8 inches, tall for his time and era. He also confirmed Timur's lameness. Gerasimov was able to reconstruct the likeness of Timur from his skull. Unfortunately, a curse has been attached to opening Timur's tomb. In the year of Timur's death, a sign was carved in Timur's tomb warning that whoever would dare disturb the tomb would bring demons of war onto his land. Gerasimov's expedition opened the tomb on June 19, 1941. Operation Barbarossa began three days later on June 22, 1941.

Related Topics:
Mikhail M. Gerasimov - Genghis Khan - Operation Barbarossa

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