Iron Timur. Part of 1
M.M. Gerasimov. Sculptural portrait of Tamerlane
Tamerlane loved the war and was merciless to the enemies, in this respect he differed little from a number of Asian and European warriors, sometimes even surpassing them in cruelty. "Behind the scenes" often remains the other side of the personality of the great conqueror: Timur inspired terror to the enemies, but not to his subjects, i.e. was not a tyrant. This circumstance favorably distinguished him from many rulers of the time.
“He was at the same time the scourge of his enemies, the idol of his soldiers and the father of his peoples,” said his historian Sheref al-Din about Tamerlane.
And if the first two statements do not cause surprise, then Timur looks somewhat unexpected as a “father of nations”. Meanwhile, information about the unconventional management methods of Tamerlane is encountered by the researcher with an enviable regularity, causing surprise and even doubt in their authenticity.
Indeed, can you trust the lines from Tamerlan's Autobiography, in which the great conqueror states: "I treated everyone equally strictly and fairly, without making any distinction and showing no preference for the rich over the poor ... patiently dealt with each case .. was always truthful in speeches and was able to distinguish the truth in what I was able to hear about real life. I never gave such a promise I could not fulfill. By fulfilling the promises I had given, I did not harm anyone in my injustice ... I never felt jealous of anyone ... "And if Timur was seriously ill, he said before his death:" God showed me mercy by giving me the opportunity to establish such good laws that now in all states of Iran and Turan no one dares to do anything bad to his neighbor, nobles dare not oppress the poor, all this gives me hope that God will forgive my sins, although there are many of them, I have the consolation that during my reign I did not allow the strong to offend the weak?
Many historians do not take into account these documents. Relying on numerous sources telling about the terrible repressions of Timur against the people who dared to resist, they view Tamerlane in the mainstream of traditional ideas - as a monster that horrified the whole world. Other researchers, recognizing that Tamerlane was cruel and his methods of warfare are inhuman, indicate that, regardless of the desire of Timur himself, his actions against Islamic states were much more effective than all the crusades, and therefore extremely useful for Byzantium, Western Europe and Russia. Still others consider Timur to be a very progressive ruler, whose only flaw was the desire to conquer the world, however, out of good intentions - because "this was, in his (Timur's) opinion, the only way to make people happy. The show of discord that plagued the Asian states was deplorable the position of the peoples oppressed by ruthless tyrants strengthened him in this idea. " (L. Lyangle).
What was pushing Timur to endless wars? Is it only thirst for profit (as claimed by many researchers)? Trekking Tamerlane really incredibly enriched the city of Maverannakhr, but Timur himself never had the opportunity to enjoy luxury. Most of his life he spent in endless campaigns, in which he bravely endured hardships on a par with ordinary soldiers: he was thirsty, made wearisome crossings over mountain passes and barren deserts, and rode high-flowing turbulent rivers on horseback. The money received as a result of successful wars, Tamerlane spent mainly on the preparation of new expeditions ("war fueled the war") and the construction of luxury buildings in Samarkand, Shakhrisyabze, Fergana, Bukhara, Keshe and Yasi. Part of the funds was also directed to the improvement of the roads and increasing the welfare of his loyal subjects: for example, after the defeat of the Golden Horde, taxes in the state of Tamerlane were canceled for three years. In his personal life, Timur was almost an ascetic, of all the pleasures the ruler of a huge empire preferred hunting and chess, and contemporaries claimed that he had made some improvements in this game. Arranging amusements for guests or courtiers, Tamerlane always made sure that their amusements "were not disastrous or very expensive for his subjects, did not distract them from their direct duties and did not lead to unnecessary costs" (L. Lyangle).
But maybe Tamerlan was a religious fanatic shedding rivers of blood in the name of converting the "infidels"? Indeed, in his Autobiography, Timur himself claimed that he fought out of jealousy of Islam, "whose banner ... raised high," seeing "in the spread of faith a mighty pledge of its own greatness." However, concern about "spreading the faith" did not prevent him from inflicting the most severe defeats of Ottoman Turkey and the Golden Horde, so the objective result of Timur's campaigns was the weakening of the Islamic onslaught on Byzantium, Russia and Western Europe. Surrounding himself with the theologians and descendants of the Prophet Timur in fact never was an orthodox Muslim fanatic. He did not show special preferences for either the Sunni or Shiite versions of Islam and in the conquered states usually supported the direction taken by the majority of the population: in Syria, for example, Tamerlan was considered zealous Shiite, in Khorasanna he restored Sunni orthodoxy, and in Masendarann even punished Shiite dervishes. Christians who are permanently residing in the state of Tamerlane, or who come there for commercial purposes, could count on the protection of the law and protection on a par with the faithful subjects of Timur. Moreover, Ibn Arabshah argues that even in the army of Tamerlan it was possible to meet Christians and pagans. At the feasts, which arranged the "Mighty Sword of Islam and Mercy," wine, forbidden by the Quran, was freely served, and Timur's wives enjoyed unparalleled personal freedom in Muslim countries, taking part in all the holidays and often arranging them themselves. Therefore, there is no basis for accusing Tamerlan of "Islamic fundamentalism."
But maybe the fault was Tamerlane’s exorbitant ambition? "The earth should have only one master, like the sky, which has one God ... What is the earth and all its inhabitants for the ambition of one great sovereign?" - Timur repeatedly said. However, Tamerlane did not suffer from delusions of grandeur: knowing full well that he could not be Khan, he did not even try to become him. The heads of state created by Timur were nominally the legitimate descendants of Genghis Khan - first Suyurgatamysh, and then his son Sultan-Mahmoud. Decrees were drawn up on their behalf, a coin was minted. At the same time, Timur understood perfectly well that degenerated Chingizids, ready to cut each other’s throats, are not suitable for the role of world leaders. The standards that a ruler who must take responsibility for the destiny of the world must meet are so high that, trying out possible candidates, Timur came to a completely logical conclusion: the only person endowed with all the necessary qualities of an ideal leader is ... Timur himself (!) . It remained to make others believe this, and what could be more eloquent and more convincing than force? The high moral and business qualities that Tamerlane recognized for himself gave him the moral right to "take care" of the faithful followers of Islam around the world, but did not give him the right to rest: "A good king never has enough time to reign, and we are forced to work in favor of the subjects whom the Most High has entrusted to us as a sacred pledge. This will always be my main occupation, because I do not want the poor to pull me on the edge of clothes on the day of the horrendous court asking for revenge against me. "
So, having set himself the super-task “to bless humanity,” until the last days of his life, Timur stubbornly “worked” to ensure that as many people as possible became happy under his personal guidance. In order to break the will to "unnecessary" resistance and intimidate the population of the conquered countries who do not understand their own "good", fantastic pyramids of human skulls were built and ancient flowering cities were destroyed. (In fairness it should be said that the cities destroyed by order of Tamerlan were often restored by him, even in Christian Georgia, Timur ordered to rebuild the city of Bailakan). Such brutal order was gradually established in the conquered territories, that a lonely unarmed wanderer could not fear for his life and property, traveling through the lands to which Timur's terrible power extended.
It was precisely to ensure the future of this prosperous, authoritative, and well-managed state that Timur defeated all potential powers, with the exception of China, which survived only thanks to the death of Timur.
What management methods were used in the state of Timur? According to information from contemporary events sources, governors were appointed to their posts for a term of three years. After this time, inspectors were sent to the provinces, who were supposed to get the opinion of the residents. If the people were dissatisfied with the administration, the governor lost his property and was dismissed from his post, having no right to claim another for three years. The sons and grandsons of Tamerlane, who did not cope with the post, also could not count on his condescension. The governor of the former Mongolian kingdom of Hulagu (which included Northern Iran and Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, Baghdad and Shiraz) Miranshah met his father, who had arrived with the inspection, on his knees and with a lasso around his neck.
“I have a rope and I can find my own, yours is too beautiful,” Timur told him.
Miranshah was thrown into prison, his property, including the decorations of wives and concubines, is described. The jewels of the stolen dignitaries did not have to be described - they brought them themselves. Those who did not justify the trust of Timur Pir-Mohammed and Iskender (grandchildren of the all-powerful ruler) were not only deprived of the posts of rulers in Fars and Ferghana, but also punished with sticks. But ordinary law-abiding taxpayers in the state to beat Timur was forbidden in the most categorical manner. In addition, Timur created a box office to help the poor, organized free food delivery points, alms-houses. In all the newly-conquered provinces, the poor had to come to “social services” to receive special signs for free meals.
The illiterate Timur spoke Turkish (Turkic) and Persian, knew the Quran well, understood astronomy and medicine, and valued educated people. In the campaigns, the conqueror's favorite entertainment was disputes, which he arranged between local theologians and the scientists who accompanied his army. AT history entered the dispute organized by Tamerlane in the city of Aleppo (Aleppo). On that day, Timur was not in the mood, and his questions were of a very dangerous and even provocative nature: he asked the scientist Sharaf ad-Din, for example, who among those killed Allah would take as martyrs in the gardens of the righteous: his warriors or Arabs? Referring to the words of the Prophet Mohammed, the scientist said that people who believe that they were dying for a just cause would go to heaven. Tamerlane did not like this answer, however, he stated that his opponent’s knowledge deserves encouragement. And to the historian Nizam ad-Din, Timur advised to always praise the winners - for the reason that "Allah knows who to give the victory to. To praise the vanquished is to resist the will of Allah." Scientists and poets in general, much was allowed at the court of the great conqueror. So, once Timur jokingly asked the courtiers how much time they would rate him when selling. The poet Ahmed Kermani (who wrote the verses in “The History of Timur”) who took the answer called the price in 25 Askerov - it was the cost of Tamerlane’s clothes: he himself “is not worth a penny.” This answer was not just bold, but extremely impudent and, most importantly, unjust, however, no repression against the poet followed.
In the edification of the descendants, Timur wrote (more precisely, dictated) the so-called "Code" ("Tyuzuk-i-Timur), which is a guide to governing the state, consisting of a number of rules (" Rules for the formation of the army "," Rules of distribution of salaries to the troops " , “Uniform and weapon rules”, etc.) and service instructions (“Vizire’s official duties”, “Council meeting rules”, etc.). In addition, the “Code” included training manuals on strategies and tactics, among which were, for example:
"The order of battle for my victorious armies."
"Regulations on the conduct of war, the production of attacks and retreats, order in the battles and the defeat of the troops."
And some others.
These manuals have been illustrated with numerous examples of successful leadership in military operations:
"The plan I was following to occupy Herat, the capital of Khorasan."
"Measures to defeat Tokhtamysh Khan".
"My orders for the victory over Mahmud, the ruler of Delhi, and Malahun" and others.
According to the “Code”, an opponent whose army was smaller than a 40 000 man was supposed to send troops under the leadership of one of the sons of the ruler, accompanied by two experienced emirs. If the enemy had a larger army, Tamerlan himself went on a campaign. Timur's troops outnumbered the armies of other countries not in quantity, but in terms of quality. They were formed on a professional basis, during the battles were built in several lines, which were introduced into the battle gradually, and each soldier knew his place in the ranks and the task that had to be performed by their unit. The cavalry of Tamerlane, if necessary, could get off of horses and act on foot, making very difficult maneuvers. The soldiers were dressed in a uniform that Timur introduced first in the world. In addition, there is evidence that it was Timur (according to other sources, his cook) was the author of the Fergana pilaf recipe. There was this significant event for the Central Asian cuisine, allegedly during the march on Ankara. Timur then drew attention to the traditional food of wandering dervishes (based on boiled lamb or beef legs), which was digested for a long time in the stomach, giving a long feeling of satiety, and allowed to overcome long distances on foot. An ingenious innovation was the order to add rice to this dish. Was it really so? Hard to say. But the version of the invention of pilaf by Alexander the Great too clearly gives a legend. And the “Chinese” version of plov origin does not look reliable either, since the traditional technology of rice preparation in China is fundamentally different from the Central Asian one. The version according to which pilaf was invented by Avicenna also does not seem convincing, because it is a democratic, simple to prepare and nutritious, but rather “heavy” dish is ideal for soldiers on the march, but is unlikely to be sick in bed. However, we are too distracted from the main topic of our article.
Tamerlane Engraving
Interesting information about the relationship of Timur to his soldiers. The great conqueror always respected the soldiers and did not recognize corporal punishment, saying that "the chief, whose power is weaker than the stick and the stick, is unworthy of the dignity he holds." Punishment and expulsion from the army served as punishment for the guilty. Instead of the "carrot", Timur preferred to use the "carrot". The awards for the distinguished were served with praise, gifts, an increase in the share in the booty, an appointment to the guard of honor, a promotion in rank, the name of a batyr, a Bagadur - and the warriors reciprocated their leader.
“A friend of brave warriors, himself full of courage, he knew how to make himself respect and obey,” Ibn Arabshah, a very strict historian, wrote about Timur.
At the beginning of his career as a ruler, Timur was especially disposed to Kesh and wanted to make it the spiritual center of Central Asia. For this purpose, scientists from Khorezm, Bukhara and Ferghana were resettled there. However, he soon changed his mind and the beautiful Samarkand became forever the favorite city of Tamerlane, and I must say that it was Timur who owed much of its magnificence to this city.
V.Vereshchagin. Tamerlane's doors
Other cities of Maverannahr, a central and privileged part of the state of Tamerlane, also experienced the influence of the Timurid Renaissance. Everyone could freely and freely enter the territory of Maverannahr, but it was possible to leave there only with special permission: thus, Tamerlane struggled with the “brain drain” and workers. The fact that “cadres decide everything” Timur understood as well as Stalin, therefore, he always considered artists and skilled artisans to be the most valuable part of the spoils. As a result, Samarkand was About the best master builders, weavers, blacksmiths, jewelers, as well as scientists and poets were resettled. If you believe the sources, after death Tamerlan was severely punished for such a "love" for foreigners. German knight Schiltberger (who after the battle at Nikopol was captured To the Turkish Sultan Bayazid, and after the defeat of the latter at Ankara, he served Tamerlane) wrote that "in the temple where Timur was buried, at night moans were heard, which stopped only when the prisoners taken away by Timur were released to their homeland." Approximately the same is reported by the Armenian chronicler Thomas Metsopsky.
Anyway, the population of Samarkand under Tamerlane reached 150 000 people. To emphasize the greatness of his capital, he ordered a number of settlements to be built around it, which received the names of the largest cities in the world: Sultania, Shiraz, Baghdad, Dimishka (Damascus), Misra (Cairo). In Samarkand, Timur built such outstanding architectural structures as the Cook-Saray, the Cathedral Mosque, the Bibikhany Madrasa, the Shakhi-Zinda mausoleum and much more. How much Timur loved his city can be seen, if only by how seriously the conqueror of half the world was offended by the famous poet Hafiz, who wrote the lines: "If a Shiraz Turkish woman carries my heart, I will give both Samarkand and Bukhara for her Indian birthmark." Taking Shiraz, Tamerlan ordered to find Hafiz, the conversation between them went down in history:
“Oh, wretched one!” Said Timur. “I spent my life exalting my favorite cities, Samarkand and Bukhara, and you want to give them to your whore for a mole!”
“Oh, Master of the Faithful! Because of my generosity, I am in such poverty,” Hafiz replied.
Assessing the joke, Timur ordered to give the poet a robe and let him go.
Hafiz Shirazi
The great city had to trade freely with the whole world, therefore, under Timur, concern for the safety of the caravan routes became one of the main tasks of the government. The goal was achieved, and the roads in the state of Timur were considered the most comfortable and safe in the world.
The greatness and power of Tamerlane shook the imagination not only of his contemporaries, but also of the conqueror of the half of the Universe himself. "My strong army, settling down at Erzrum, occupied the whole steppe surrounding this city; I looked at my troops and thought: after all, I am alone and it seems that I do not have any special power, but all this is an army and every warrior separately - all "Of course, they obey my will. Once I give any order, it will be executed exactly. Reflecting in this way, I thanked the Creator, who so magnified me among his slaves," Timur wrote in his Autobiography.
We will try to sort out the reasons for the rise and victories of this ignoble Central Asian Bek from an unremarkable Mongolian barlas family in the second part of our article.
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