Muhammad Taragai ibn Shahrukh ibn Timur Ulugbek Guragan(pers.; March 22, 1394, Soltaniye - October 27, 1449, Samarkand) - Central Asian statesman, ruler of the Turkic state of the Timurids, son of Shahrukh, grandson of Tamerlane. Known as an outstanding mathematician, astronomer, educator and poet of his time, he was also interested in history and poetry. Founded one of the most important observatories of the Middle Ages.

The title “Guragan” (Persian, Gurkn) is an Iranianized version of the Mongolian krgen or khrgen, “son-in-law,” “khan’s groom.” Tamerlane was the first to accept the title of Gurkani, having become related to the house of Genghisids. Representatives of the Timurid dynasty traditionally married Chingizid women and thus acquired the title of Guragani.

IN Soviet encyclopedias Ulugbek is called a Central Asian or Uzbek figure; Britannica also notes that Ulugbek’s grandfather Timur came from the Barlas tribe. Bobynin V.V. called Ulugbek a Tatar prince.

Biography

Born on March 22, 1394 in the city of Sultaniya during the five-year campaign of his grandfather Tamerlane (Timur the Lame). His father was younger son Timur Shahrukh (1377-1447). His mother was Gauharshad Begim, the daughter of a representative of the Uzbek kishlyk clan Giyasiddin Tarkhan. Mirzo Ulugbek's real name was Muhammad Taragai. So it was named in honor of Timur's father. But he became better known under the name Ulugbek (great bek - translated from Turkic). Ulugbek's teacher was the poet and scientist Arif Azari.

In 1405, Timur died, and after the fall of power of Timur's grandson Khalil-Sultan (1405-1409), Timur's youngest son Shahrukh renounced the throne in Samarkand and transferred the throne to his son Ulugbek. His eldest son Ulugbek in 1409 was declared the ruler of Transoxiana with his capital in Samarkand. In 1411 his rule becomes sovereign.

Three wives of Ulugbek are known: Ak-Sultan Khanika, a Chingizid and daughter of Mahmud Khan, daughter of Khalil Sultan, whose name is not known, and Oge Begim, daughter of Muhammad Sultan, grandson of Timur. The latter was born around 1394, and on August 19, 1412, in Herat, she gave birth to his daughter, Khasiba Sultan Khanzada. Oge-begim dies in 1419, and according to legend she could be buried in the Gur Emir Mausoleum.

The reconstruction of Ulugbek's face based on his skull was carried out by the famous Soviet anthropologist and sculptor Mikhail Mikhailovich Gerasimov. In the appearance of Ulugbek, like Tamerlane, Mongoloid features prevailed over Caucasoid ones.

Political and scientific activities

According to legend, even as a child, Ulugbek had the opportunity to visit the ruins of the famous observatory of At-Tusi, Nasir ad-Din in Maragha. This made a strong impression on the inquisitive Ulugbek and determined his passion for astronomy. In 1417-1420, Ulugbek built a madrasah in Samarkand, which became the first building in the Registan architectural ensemble. Ulugbek invited him to this madrasah a large number of astronomers and mathematicians of the Islamic world. The other two madrasahs were built in Gijduvan and Bukhara. On the portal of the latter there is an inscription (hadith of the Prophet Muhammad): “The pursuit of knowledge is the duty of every Muslim man and woman.” In general, all the numerous inscriptions on the madrasah encourage people to study science.

Under Ulugbek, Samarkand became one of the world centers of science of the Middle Ages. Here, in Samarkand in the first half of the 15th century, a whole scientific school, which united prominent astronomers and mathematicians - Ghiyasiddin Jamshid Kashi, Kazizade Rumi, al-Kushchi. The historian Hafizi Abru, who wrote a wonderful work on the history of Central Asia, the famous physician Mavlono Nafis, the poets Sirajiddin Samarkandi, Sakkaki, Lutfi, Badakhshi and others lived in Samarkand at that time.

Ulugbek's main interest in science was astronomy. In 1428, the construction of the Ulugbek Observatory was completed, the main instrument of which was a wall quadrant with a radius of 40 meters and a working part from 20° to 80°, which had no equal in the world. Ulugbek's collaborators included such outstanding astronomers as Kazi-zade ar-Rumi, al-Kashi, al-Kushchi. In the observatory of Ulugbek by 1437 it was compiled Gurgan zij- catalog starry sky, in which 1018 stars were described. The length of the sidereal year was also determined there: 365 days, 6 hours, 10 minutes, 8 seconds (with an error of + 58 seconds) and the tilt of the Earth’s axis: 23.52 degrees (the most accurate measurement).

Mirza (later Sultan) Muhammad ibn Shahrukh ibn Timur Ulugbek Guragan(Persian میرزا محمد طارق بن شاهرخ‎; March 22, 1394, Soltaniye - October 27, 1449, Samarkand) - ruler of the Turkic Timurid state, son of Shahrukh, grandson of Tamerlane. Known as an outstanding astronomer and astrologer.

Title "Guragan" (pers. گوركانى‎, Gurkān) - Iranianized version of Mongolian kurugen or Khurgen, “son-in-law”, “khan’s groom”. The title of Gurkani was first accepted by Tamerlane, who became related to the house of Genghisids. Representatives of the Timurid dynasty traditionally married Chingizid women and thus acquired the title of Guragani.

Biography

Born on March 22, 1394 in the city of Sultaniya during the five-year campaign of his grandfather Timur. His father was Timur's youngest son Shahrukh (1377-1447). His mother was Gauharshad Begim, the daughter of a representative of the Turkic tribal aristocracy, Giyasiddin Tarkhan. Mirzo Ulugbek's real name was Muhammad Taragai. So it was named in honor of Timur's father. But he became better known under the name Ulugbek (great bek - translated from Turkic). Ulugbek's teacher was the poet and scientist Arif Azari.

In 1405, Timur died, and after the fall of power of Timur's grandson Khalil-Sultan (1405-1409), Timur's youngest son Shahrukh entered Samarkand. His eldest son Ulugbek in 1409 was declared the ruler of Transoxiana with his capital in Samarkand. In 1411 his rule becomes sovereign.

Political and scientific activities

According to legend, even as a child, Ulugbek had the opportunity to visit the ruins of the famous observatory of At-Tusi, Nasir ad-Din in Maragha. This made a strong impression on the inquisitive Ulugbek and determined his passion for astronomy. In 1417-1420, Ulugbek built a madrasah in Samarkand, which became the first building in the Registan architectural ensemble. Ulugbek invited a large number of astronomers and mathematicians of the Islamic world to this madrasah. The other two madrasahs were built in Gijduvan and Bukhara. On the portal of the latter there is an inscription (hadith of the Prophet Muhammad): “The pursuit of knowledge is the duty of every Muslim man and woman.” In general, all the numerous inscriptions on the madrasah encourage people to study science.

Under Ulugbek, Samarkand became one of the world centers of science of the Middle Ages. Here, in Samarkand in the first half of the 15th century, a whole scientific school arose around Ulugbek, uniting prominent astronomers and mathematicians - Giyasiddin Jamshid Kashi, Kazizade Rumi, Ali Kushchi. The historian Hafizi Abru, who wrote a wonderful work on the history of Central Asia, the famous physician Mavlono Nafis, the poets Sirajiddin Samarkandi, Sakkaki, Lutfi, Badakhshi and others lived in Samarkand at that time.

The preserved underground part of the main quadrant of the Ulugbek Observatory.

Ulugbek's main interest in science was astronomy. In 1428, the construction of the Ulugbek Observatory was completed, the main instrument of which was a wall quadrant with a radius of 40 meters and a working part from 20° to 80°, which had no equal in the world. Ulugbek's collaborators included such outstanding astronomers as Kazi-zade ar-Rumi, al-Kashi, Ali Kushchi. In the observatory of Ulugbek by 1437, a Gurgan zij- a catalog of the starry sky, in which 1018 stars were described. The length of the sidereal year was also determined there: 365d6h10m8s (with an error of +58s).

Ulugbek’s main scientific work is rightfully considered “Ziji Jadidi Guragani” or “New Guraganian Astronomical Tables”. The author completed this work in 1444 after thirty years of painstaking work and astronomical observations. The astronomical reference book was soon translated into Latin and, along with the Almagest of Claudius Ptolemy and the astronomical tables of the Castilian king Alfonso XV, was a manual on astronomy in all observatories in Europe.

The accuracy of these tables exceeded everything previously achieved in the East and Europe. Only in the 17th century. Tycho Brahe managed to achieve accuracy comparable to the Samarkand observations, and then surpass it. It is not surprising that “Zij Ulugbek” constantly attracted the attention of astronomers, both in the East and in Europe.

The creation of the Samarkand Observatory became possible because the most important components of success merged in the person of Ulugbek: a talented scientist who clearly understood the scientific goal and the ways of its implementation, and the ruler of a powerful state who had sufficient funds. The most important result The Samarkand school is considered a catalog of stars. In the East, such catalogs were called zijs. Previous star catalogs appear to have been based on the observations of Hipparchus, brought down to the appropriate era. “Zij Ulugbek” was largely based on his own observations.

Ulugbek was a great patron of science and the arts. In addition to astronomy and geography, he was interested in poetry and history. By historical work « Tale of Four uluses" ( Tarikh-i-ulus-i-arba'a) was Ulugbek himself.

From 1427 to 1447, Ulugbek practically did not conduct any serious military operations.

In 1428, he carried out an important monetary reform in the country, which had a beneficial effect on the state's economy.

Ulugbek had several sons and daughters. The eldest son was Abd al Latif, and the youngest was Abdulaziz. His daughter Robiya Sultan Begim was later married to the ruler of the nomadic Uzbeks, Abu-l-Khairkhan (1428-1468).

After Shahrukh's death in 1447, civil strife began in the country.

After the defeat in the Khorasan campaign in 1447, a conflict arose between Ulugbek and his eldest son Abdullatif, which turned into hostilities. This war ended with the defeat of Ulugbek. Soon after this, Ulugbek was treacherously killed.

Results of scientific activities

Postage Stamp USSR, 1987.

His famous student, the Samarkand astronomer al-Kushchi, after the death of Ulugbek in the 1470s, arrived in Istanbul where he was appointed professor at the Hagia Sophia Madrasah.

Ulugbek's observatory was gradually destroyed in late XVII century was dismantled into bricks.

Ulugbek's star catalog became known to European astronomers after its publication in 1648 in Oxford - one of the oldest centers of science and culture in England - where it was first partially published main job, made in the famous Samarkand observatory of Ulugbek. The work was prepared for publication and commented on by John Greaves (1602-1652), professor of astronomy at Oxford University. Later, fragments of the catalog were published in England several times.

17 years after the first Oxford publication, the learned keeper of the Bodleian Library at Oxford, the English orientalist and translator Thomas Hyde (1636–1703), prepared and published in Persian and Latin languages new edition of the Samarkand catalog entitled “ Tabulae Long, ac Lat. Stellarum Fixarum, ex observatione Ulugh Beighi", Oxonii, 1665.

In the Catalog of the Starry Sky, published by Jan Hevelius, there is an engraving depicting a symbolic meeting of the world's greatest astronomers who lived in different times V various countries. They sit at the table, located on either side of the muse of astronomy Urania. Ulugbek is also depicted among them.

The German astronomer and lunar mapmaker Johann Heinrich von Mädler named the lunar crater Ulugbek as part of Ulugbek, shown on his lunar map of 1830.

Most detailed analysis Ulugbek's star catalogue, based on the study of 8 manuscripts stored in UK libraries, was published in the USA in 1917 by E.B. Noble under the title “ Ulugh Beg's Catalog of Stars. Revised from all Persian Manuscripts Existing in Great Britain».

Through the efforts of V.L. Vyatkin in 1908 and 1914, the location of the remains of Ulugbek’s observatory was found and their first excavations were carried out. Research at the observatory was successfully continued by M.E. Masson in 1941, A.A. Pulyavin in 1943 and V.A. Shishkin in 1948.

Monument to Mirza Ulugbek in Samarkand

To date, some personal belongings of Ulugbek have been preserved, but they are scattered across various museums and private collections around the world. His personal chest is now kept in the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul. Ulugbek's cup, made of jade, is in the collection of the British Museum. The ruby ​​stone, which once adorned the crown of Ulugbek, included private collection Arab Sheikh al-Sabah.

The last day of Ulugbek

Ulugbek was killed in October 1449. The historian Mirkhond conveys a detailed story about the death of Ulugbek from the words of Haji Muhammad-Khisrau, who saw off Ulugbek.

Ulugbek, together with the haji, left Samarkand on horseback in the evening; he was cheerful and talked about everything. When they had traveled a short distance, some Chagatai from the Sulduz clan caught up with them and, on behalf of the khan, ordered them to stop in a neighboring village so that preparations for Ulugbek’s journey could be completed. ...Very embarrassed by this order, Ulugbek was forced to stop in a neighboring village and entered one of the houses. It was cold. Ulugbek ordered to light a fire and cook the meat. A spark from the flame lit by the nukers fell on Ulugbek’s cloak and burned part of it; Ulugbek looked at the fire and said in Turkic: Sen hem bildin (“you also found out”). Ulugbek's thoughts took a dark direction; the haji tried in vain to console him...

Mirzo Muhammad ibn Shahrukh ibn Timur Ulugbek Guragan (1394-1449) – outstanding personality of his era, a great scientist, famous mathematician and astronomer, grandson of the ruler of Maveraunnahr, Amir Timur, a famous statesman. Born in Sultaniya on March 22, 1394. In 1409 he was appointed ruler of Samarkand, and from 1447 he headed the Timurid dynasty after the death of his father, Amir Timur’s eldest son, Shahrukh.

In his youth, Ulugbek spent a lot of time in the library collected by his grandfather and father, which contributed to the development of his horizons. He received a good education, knew the theory of literary styles, his exceptional memory allowed him to master the Arabic and Persian languages, and study Turkic poetry. He had best teachers of that time, outstanding scientists, among whom was Kazizade Rumi, teacher and famous scientist of Ulugbek’s favorite disciplines - astronomy and mathematics.
In the first half of the 15th century, Samarkand became one of the world's scientific centers. A school of science was created here, which united the best astronomers and mathematicians of the Middle Ages - Ali Kushchi, Giyasiddin Jamshid Kashi, Kazizade Rumi.
In Samarkand in 1417-1420, Ulugbek built a madrasah, the first of the buildings of the Registan architectural ensemble, to which the best mathematicians and astronomers of the Islamic world were invited. Two other madrasahs were created in Gijuvan and Bukhara, where the inscription “The pursuit of knowledge is the duty of every Muslim man and woman” was preserved on the portal of the madrasah.
Ulugbek's love for astronomy determined his life's work, the creation of a unique structure, an observatory, the construction of which, according to researchers, was completed in 1428-1429, at the foot of Kukhak Hill.
The main instrument was built at the observatory - a sextant, oriented from south to north along the meridian line. Its successful design allowed for accurate astronomical observations. Thirty years of astronomical observations were reflected in Ulugbek’s main work “Ziji Jadidi Guragani,” which was completed by 1444. The work “Zij Ulugbek” consists of four parts. The first part outlines the methods of chronology various peoples, in the second - questions from practical astronomy are described, in the third part we're talking about about movements celestial bodies and the fourth part is devoted to astrology, as a tribute to science. IN this catalog 1018 stars were identified with high accuracy, which made a great contribution to world astronomy. Only in the 17th century. The accuracy of Ulugbek's tables was surpassed by the scientist Tycho Brahe. This work serves as a compass for scientists - astronomers and historians involved in ancient chronology. Ulugbek's tables, before the invention of the telescope, were the highest level of astronomy of the Middle Ages.
Also at this observatory, scientists calculated the duration of the sidereal year and the inclination of the ecliptic to the equator, and determined the value of the sine of one degree, accurate to the eighteenth decimal place.
Ulugbek calculated the length of the astronomical year, which was 365 days 6 hours 10 minutes 8 seconds in 1437. It was later revealed that the error in his calculations was only 58 seconds.
Devoting most of his time to his studies and observations at the observatory, Ulugbek had too little time left for state affairs; he was a weak commander. Abullatif, the eldest son of Ulugbek, was influenced by the radical clergy and declared war on his father. At the suggestion of his son, Ulugbek went to Mecca for a pilgrimage. According to the decision of the Sharia court, he was treacherously killed on the way to Mecca.
After the death of Ulugbek, the reactionary clergy provoked a pogrom of the scientist’s brainchild, his observatory. The scientists of the science center were dispersed, the rich library was plundered and the building was looted. By the end of the 17th century, nothing remained of the observatory.
Thanks to the devotion of Ali Kushchi, a faithful student of Ulugbek, who was forced to leave Samarkand after the death of the great scientist, star book“Ziji Guragan” was taken by him to Europe. Due to this, the work and name of Ulugbek became known among scientists in Asia and Europe. This work was translated into Latin, and in all observatories in Europe it was a textbook on astronomy along with the works of other outstanding scientists.
The great scientist Ulugbek made a huge contribution to the development of the entire civilization of mankind and science.

Mirzo Ulugbek

Mirza (later Sultan) Muhammad ibn Shahrukh ibn Timur Ulugbek Guragan; March 22, 1394, Soltaniye - October 27, 1449, Samarkand) - ruler of the Turkic state of the Timurids, son of Shahrukh, grandson of Tamerlane. Known as an outstanding astronomer and astrologer.

Title "Guragan"- an Iranianized version of the Mongolian “son-in-law”, “khan’s groom”. The title of Gurkani was first accepted by Tamerlane, who became related to the house of Genghisids. Representatives of the Timurid dynasty traditionally married Chingizid women and thus acquired the title of Guragani.

Biography

Born on March 22, 1394 in the city of Sultaniya during the five-year campaign of his grandfather Timur. His father was Timur's youngest son Shahrukh (1377-1447). His mother was Gauharshad Begim, the daughter of a representative of the Turkic tribal aristocracy, Giyasiddin Tarkhan. Mirzo Ulugbek's real name was Muhammad Taragai. So it was named in honor of Timur's father. But he became better known under the name Ulugbek (great bek - translated from Turkic). Ulugbek's teacher was the poet and scientist Arif Azari.
In 1405, Timur died, and after the fall of power of Timur's grandson Khalil-Sultan (1405-1409), Timur's youngest son Shahrukh entered Samarkand. His eldest son Ulugbek in 1409 was declared the ruler of Transoxiana with his capital in Samarkand. In 1411 his rule becomes sovereign.
Political and scientific activities

According to legend, even as a child, Ulugbek had the opportunity to visit the ruins of the famous observatory of At-Tusi, Nasir ad-Din in Maragha. This made a strong impression on the inquisitive Ulugbek and determined his passion for astronomy. In 1417-1420, Ulugbek built a madrasah in Samarkand, which became the first building in the Registan architectural ensemble. Ulugbek invited a large number of astronomers and mathematicians of the Islamic world to this madrasah. The other two madrasahs were built in Gijduvan and Bukhara. On the portal of the latter there is an inscription (hadith of the Prophet Muhammad): “The pursuit of knowledge is the duty of every Muslim man and woman.” In general, all the numerous inscriptions on the madrasah encourage people to study science.

Registan Square with 3 madrassas

Ulugbek Madrasah

Under Ulugbek, Samarkand became one of the world centers of science of the Middle Ages. Here, in Samarkand in the first half of the 15th century, a whole scientific school arose around Ulugbek, uniting prominent astronomers and mathematicians - Giyasiddin Jamshid Kashi, Kazizade Rumi, Ali Kushchi. The historian Hafizi Abru, who wrote a wonderful work on the history of Central Asia, the famous physician Mavlono Nafis, the poets Sirajiddin Samarkandi, Sakkaki, Lutfi, Badakhshi and others lived in Samarkand at that time.

The preserved underground part of the main quadrant of the Ulugbek Observatory.

Ulugbek's main interest in science was astronomy. In 1428, the construction of the Ulugbek Observatory was completed, the main instrument of which was a wall quadrant with a radius of 40 meters and a working part from 20° to 80°, which had no equal in the world. Ulugbek's collaborators included such outstanding astronomers as Kazi-zade ar-Rumi, al-Kashi, Ali Kushchi. In the observatory of Ulugbek by 1437, a Gurgan zij- a catalog of the starry sky, in which 1018 stars were described. The length of the sidereal year was also determined there: 365d6h10m8s (with an error of +58s).


Ulugbek’s main scientific work is rightfully considered “Ziji Jadidi Guragani” or “New Guraganian Astronomical Tables”. The author completed this work in 1444 after thirty years of painstaking work and astronomical observations. The astronomical reference book was soon translated into Latin and, along with the Almagest of Claudius Ptolemy and the astronomical tables of the Castilian king Alfonso XV, was a manual on astronomy in all observatories in Europe.
The accuracy of these tables exceeded everything previously achieved in the East and Europe. Only in the 17th century. Tycho Brahe managed to achieve accuracy comparable to the Samarkand observations, and then surpass it. It is not surprising that “Zij Ulugbek” constantly attracted the attention of astronomers, both in the East and in Europe.
The creation of the Samarkand Observatory became possible because the most important components of success merged in the person of Ulugbek: a talented scientist who clearly understood the scientific goal and the ways of its implementation, and the ruler of a powerful state who had sufficient funds. The most important result of the Samarkand school is the catalog of stars. In the East, such catalogs were called zijs. Previous star catalogs appear to have been based on the observations of Hipparchus, brought down to the appropriate era. “Zij Ulugbek” was largely based on his own observations.
Ulugbek was a great patron of science and the arts. In addition to astronomy and geography, he was interested in poetry and history. The author of the historical work “The History of the Four Uluses” (Tarikh-i-ulus-i-arba’a) was Ulugbek himself.
From 1427 to 1447, Ulugbek practically did not conduct any serious military operations.
In 1428, he carried out an important monetary reform in the country, which had a beneficial effect on the state's economy.
Ulugbek had several sons and daughters. The eldest son was Abd al Latif, and the youngest was Abdulaziz.
After Shahrukh's death in 1447, civil strife began in the country.
After the defeat in the Khorasan campaign in 1447, a conflict arose between Ulugbek and his eldest son Abdullatif, which turned into hostilities. This war ended with the defeat of Ulugbek. Soon after this, Ulugbek was treacherously killed.

USSR postage stamp, 1987.

Results scientific activity
His famous student, the Samarkand astronomer al-Kushchi, after the death of Ulugbek in the 1470s, arrived in Istanbul where he was appointed professor at the Hagia Sophia Madrasah.
Ulugbek's observatory gradually collapsed and at the end of the 17th century was dismantled into bricks.
Ulugbek's star catalog became known to European astronomers after its publication in 1648 in Oxford - one of the oldest centers of science and culture in England - where the main work carried out in the famous Samarkand observatory of Ulugbek was first partially published. The work was prepared for publication and commented on by John Greaves (1602-1652), professor of astronomy at Oxford University. Later, fragments of the catalog were published in England several times.
17 years after the first Oxford publication, the learned keeper of the Bodleian Library in Oxford, English orientalist and translator Thomas Hyde (1636-1703) prepared and printed in Persian and Latin a new edition of the Samarkand catalog entitled “Tabulae Long, ac Lat. Stellarum Fixarum, ex observatione Ulugh Beighi", Oxonii, 1665.
In the Catalog of the Starry Sky, published by Jan Hevelius, there is an engraving depicting a symbolic collection of the greatest astronomers of the world who lived at different times in different countries. They sit at the table, located on either side of the muse of astronomy Urania. Ulugbek is also depicted among them.
The German astronomer and lunar mapmaker Johann Heinrich von Mädler named the lunar crater Ulugbek as part of Ulugbek, shown on his lunar map of 1830.
The most detailed analysis of Ulugh Beg’s star catalogue, based on the study of 8 manuscripts stored in UK libraries, was published in the USA in 1917 by E.B. Noble under the title “Ulugh Beg’s Catalog of Stars. Revised from all Persian Manuscripts Existing in Great Britain".
Through the efforts of V.L. Vyatkin in 1908 and 1914, the location of the remains of Ulugbek’s observatory was found and their first excavations were carried out. Research at the observatory was successfully continued by M.E. Masson in 1941, A.A. Pulyavin in 1943 and V.A. Shishkin in 1948.

Monument to Mirza Ulugbek in Samarkand

Interesting Facts
To date, some personal belongings of Ulugbek have been preserved, but they are scattered across various museums and private collections around the world. His personal chest is now kept in the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul. Ulugbek's cup, made of jade, is in the collection of the British Museum. A ruby ​​stone that once adorned the crown of Ulugh Beg, part of the private collection of the Arab sheikh al-Sabah.
The last day of Ulugbek Ulugbek was killed in October 1449. The historian Mirkhond conveys a detailed story about the death of Ulugbek from the words of Haji Muhammad-Khisrau, who saw off Ulugbek. Ulugbek, together with the haji, left Samarkand on horseback in the evening; he was cheerful and talked about everything. When they had traveled a short distance, some Chagatai from the Sulduz clan caught up with them and, on behalf of the khan, ordered them to stop in a neighboring village so that preparations for Ulugbek’s journey could be completed. ...Very embarrassed by this order, Ulugbek was forced to stop in a neighboring village and entered one of the houses. It was cold. Ulugbek ordered to light a fire and cook the meat. A spark from the flame lit by the nukers fell on Ulugbek’s cloak and burned part of it; Ulugbek looked at the fire and said in Turkic: Sen hem bildin (“you also found out”). Ulugbek's thoughts took a dark direction; the haji tried in vain to console him... Next, Mirkhond tells how two people entered the house and attacked Ulugbek. One of them, a man named Abbas, killed the great scientist.

Gur-Emir is a Timurid tomb where Timur, his son Shahrukh and Ulugbek are buried

On foreground tomb of Shahrukh, father of Ulugbek. Onyx stone.
Behind it is the black jade tomb of Timur himself. Ulugbek is buried at the head of Timur's tomb.

As you know, in June 1941, an expedition led by anthropologist Gerasimov was sent to open the graves of Timur and Ulugbek.
The autopsy took place on June 19, 1941. The old men sitting nearby said: “According to the Arabic inscriptions on Timur’s grave it is said that the people who open his tomb will suffer misfortune. There will be war.” Naturally, scientists continued their research. Based on the remains, it was established that Timur was indeed red-haired, with a lame leg, because he was called “Lame Timur.” When opening Ulugbek's grave, they found that his skull lay next to his body. This confirmed the fact that Ulugbek's head was cut off from behind. The assassin was sent by his eldest son. After this, the looting of the observatory began.

Recorded and designed by komrik

Samarkand Sultan Mahhamad-Taragai, nicknamed Ulugbek ( Grand Duke), beloved grandson of the great Tamerlane, ascended the throne in 1409, as a 15-year-old youth. Court flatterers told him that he must revive the empire created by his great grandfather. However, the campaign undertaken by Ulugbek against the Turkic tribes ended in failure. Since then, the young ruler of Samarkand has lost interest in military glory and devoted himself entirely to scientific pursuits.

Bust of Ulugbek. Reconstruction of M.M. Gerasimova

Over time, Ulugbek turned into the most outstanding scientist of his time. He had an excellent memory. There is a known case when a list of numerous hunting trophies from his entire life was lost. Ulugbek reconstructed it from memory - and when the list was later found, the discrepancies turned out to be small.
He knew by heart most of the Koran, as well as the theologians' commentaries on each sura of the holy book. In addition, he studied Arabic, was well-read in law, logic, theory literary style and basics musical harmony. His pen has a great deal historical essay about the empire of Genghis Khan and its individual uluses.

But Ulugbek’s most favorite science was astronomy. The Samarkand observatory he built amazed his contemporaries with its size. The main instrument of the observatory was a wall quadrant with a radius of 40 meters and a working part from 20° to 80°, which had no equal in the world.

View of the European quadrant

Diagram of the main tool. On the roof of the observatory building
(upper right corner) there was a hole (diopter) through which
light from the heavenly bodies fell on the meridian arcs. Tool
made it possible to measure the height of luminaries above the horizon.

View of the preserved part of the quadrant of the Ulugbek Observatory

In it, Ulugbek made his main discoveries. He determined the position of 1018 fixed stars and calculated the length of the astronomical year: 365 days, 6 hours and 10 minutes. According to modern science, he was off by less than one minute, although he did not use a telescope.

The tools that Ulugbek used have not survived,
but it gives some idea of ​​what they might have looked like
This bronze astrolabe is from the 17th century.

“Sultan Ulugbek,” Alisher Navoi said about him, “was a king the like of whom the world had never known. All his relatives disappeared into oblivion. Who remembers them nowadays? But Ulugbek extended his hand to science and achieved a lot. Before his eyes the sky became close and sank down.”

Ulugbek's star catalog became known to European astronomers after its publication in Latin in 1648. In the Catalog of the Starry Sky, published by Jan Hevelius, there is an engraving depicting a symbolic collection of the greatest astronomers of the world who lived at different times in different countries. They sit at the table, located on either side of the muse of astronomy Urania. Ulugbek is also depicted among them.

Busy scientific works, Ulugbek almost never visited the mosque. “Religions dissipate like fog,” he said, “kingdoms are destroyed, but the works of scientists remain forever.” Ultimately, in 1449, disgruntled sheikhs organized a palace coup and transferred power to Ulugbek's son. The deposed sultan himself was obliged to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, but on the way, his companions attacked the 56-year-old Ulugbek, tied him up, and a certain Abbas cut off his head with one blow of his sword.

Ulugbek's observatory gradually collapsed and at the end of the 17th century was dismantled into bricks. In 1908, archaeologist Vasily Lavrentievich Vyatkin (1869-1932), using the documents he found, managed to discover ruins in Samarkand famous building Ulugbek.

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Ulugbek's ashes were transferred to Gur-Emir. The day before the start of the Great Patriotic War his tomb was opened along with Timur's tomb. Archaeologists discovered that the scientist's head lay in the grave separately from the body, and the third cervical vertebra together with lower jaw They were cut by a razor-sharp sword.