Cultural life in the Timurids and Sultan Husain Bayqara Period

Cultural history of the Timurid Dynasty, established by the struggles of Emir Timur covering the late fourteenth century and the entire fifteenth century, is the continuance of the preceding Turkish culture in these lands, and constitutes of its enriched stage. In this stage, individuals with skills in the areas of arts, architecture, music, science and all kinds of other similar areas invited by Emir Timur in the first place from Anatolia, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Harezim lands, and even from India were collected in Samarkand and vicinities and possibilities were provided for them to show their accomplishments and share their knowledge. Children, grandchildren and student of these scientists and artists served sultans and mirzas throughout the period of the Timurid Dynasty. Amalgamation, friendships and relations through marriages were formed between the domestic scientist and scholars and those from outside, which in turn directed the religious, cultural and social structure of this state. Timur, and Timur's lineage, who were the essential protectors and supporters of the period never showed disrespect to masters of science and art. There had been times that they considered individuals with religious or scientific reputation superior to themselves. Emir Külâl, Seyyid Berke in Emir Timur's reign, Hâce Muhammed Parsa in Şaruli's reign, Kadızâde Rumî and Gıyâseddin Cemşit Kâşı in Uluğ Beg's reign, Ubeydullah Ahrâr in Ebû Said's reign and Mola Câmî and Ali Şir Nevâyî in Sultan Hüseyin Baykara's reign can be given as examples of this. This study briefly discusses the religious and cultural history in the reigns of Emir Timur, Uluğ Bey, Şahruh and Ebû Said, and then focuses on the cultural history during the reign of Sultan Hüseyin Baykara. The reason for us in focusing on this subject is that the reign of Sultan Hüseyin Baykara is the summit of cultural history of the Timurid Dynasty. Remarkable scientist and artists were brought up in this period who made their marks on history. In relation with this, Sultan Hüseyin Baykara wrote the following in his epistle: "Thanks to God, many elites were brought up in my reign. In this respect, these times are superior to all the others."