Army and military organization in the Timurids (1370-1447)

In the Middle Ages, the army was of vital importance for the establishment of a state, its continued political existence and prosperity. The Timurids (1370-1507), who deeply influenced Turkish and world history, were also established as a state with a military character and attached great importance to army organization. Since Timur, the founder of the dynasty, was a military ruler, he included his military elites and close men from the Turkish-Mongol tribes in the army and gave them important duties while creating his army. Thus, Timur established absolute authority in the state bureaucracy and the army and subordinated all centers of power to himself. This situation allowed Timur to create one of the strongest armies of the period, to organize the army in question with strict discipline, and to spend most of his life at the head of his army in campaigns. During the reign of his son Mirza Shahrukh, who came to power after Timur's death and established his dominance over a large part of the Timurid lands, the Timurid army continued its existence as the deterrent military force of the period. It is known that Mirza Shahrukh, like his father Timur, established a new military elite from his loyal men and organized his army with superior discipline. Timur and Mirza Shahrukh, two of the Timurid rulers, were never defeated on the battlefields, thanks to their armies with great fighting power. The Timurid army between 1370 and 1447 can be considered the most effective military force of the period. The main problem of the study is how the Timurid army gained superiority over its enemies in all the wars it entered and how it maintained this superiority. There are multiple reasons why the Timurid armies gained superiority over their rivals. Among these reasons, combat forces that have advanced weapon technology and participate in wars in harmony with each other were very important. Intelligence activities, tactical and strategic practices and military leadership that ensure a healthy flow of information were among the important issues.