Untitled Flashcards Set

The Timurids:

• Background: Final great dynasty from Central Asia, founded by Timur (Tamerlane), emerging as the Mongol states collapsed.

• Timur’s Rise:

  • In 1370, Timur took control of Transoxania, making Samarqand his capital.

  • His army comprised mainly steppe nomads.

  • He conquered Central Asia, greater Iran, Iraq, southern Russia, and parts of India.

• Timur's Ruthlessness:

  • Delhi Campaign (1398): Mass execution of Hindu captives and destruction.

  • Military Success: Defeated Mamluks and Ottomans, used advanced military technology (rockets, siege artillery).

  • Brutality: Crushed internal dissent, destroyed Baghdad in 1401.

• Death and Successors:

  • Timur's Death (1405): His vast empire became difficult to manage, leading to internal strife.

  • His son Shah Rukh (r. 1405–47) maintained some stability but after, the empire fragmented.

Timurid Elite & Culture:

• Culturally Sophisticated: Elite fluent in Arabic and Persian literature. Chaghatay, a Turkic language with Persian influences, became prominent.

• Literature & Art: The Timurid dynasty valued art and culture. The elite supported Persian art, leading to a renaissance in art and architecture, especially in Samarqand.

• Architecture: Timurid architecture remains notable, especially in Samarkand, Herat, and Tabriz, and the mausoleum of Shah-i Zinda.

• Art & Culture: Timur initiated a brilliant period in Islamic art, and his successors furthered this, especially in Persian culture.

Timurid Legacy:

• Timurid Empire’s Decline: After Timur's death, internal struggles weakened the empire.

• Mughal Empire: The Mughal Empire descended from the Timurid dynasty, with Babur establishing it in 1526 after defeating Ibrahim Lodi.

Ibn Khaldun’s Influence:

• Historical Context: Ibn Khaldun was a prominent historian and philosopher who was involved in politics, particularly during the fall of the Almohad Empire.

• Theory of History: He argued that history is cyclical, driven by group solidarity (‘asabiyya’) of nomads who form dynasties. Over generations, these tribesmen degenerate, leading to the collapse of regimes.

• Muqaddima: His seminal work outlined laws of history and analyzed the rise and fall of societies. He emphasized the role of God in history and stressed the importance of religious salvation.

• Plague Influence: The Black Death significantly influenced Ibn Khaldun’s view of history, as it devastated populations and weakened civilizations.

• Circle of Justice: A key concept in Ibn Khaldun’s political thought that emphasizes the interconnectedness of rulers, soldiers, money, and subjects, which eventually influences Ottoman political thought.

Ibn Khaldun’s Historical Model & Legacy:

• Theory of ‘Asabiyya’: Tribal solidarity enables the rise of powerful leaders, but luxury and urban life lead to degeneration and eventual collapse.

• Ottoman Empire: While the Ottoman empire defied some of Ibn Khaldun’s predictions, his concepts of genealogy and legitimacy remained influential.

• Circle of Justice: Emphasized the role of justice in governance and governance's interdependence with the state’s prosperity.

• Influence on Modern Historiography: Ibn Khaldun's methodologies and analytical frameworks have shaped contemporary historical research, particularly in understanding the socio-economic factors that drive societal change.