| Ulugh Beg | |
|---|---|
| Mirza, Sultan | |
 Ulugh Beg in a contemporary Timurid painting (1425–1450) | |
| Ruler of the Timurid Empire | |
| Reign | 13 March 1447 – 27 October 1449 |
| Predecessor | Shah Rukh |
| Successor | Abdal-Latif Mirza |
| Born | Mirza Muhammad Taraghay 22 March 1394 Sultaniyeh, Timurid Empire (now Zanjan Province, Iran) |
| Died | 27 October 1449 (aged 55) Samarkand, Timurid Empire (now Samarqand Region, Uzbekistan) |
| Burial | |
| Spouse |
|
| Issue | Abdal-Latif Mirza |
| Dynasty | Timurid |
| Father | Shah Rukh |
| Mother | Gawhar Shad |
| Religion | Islam |
| Occupation | Astronomer, mathematician, political leader and ruler |
Mīrzā Muhammad Tarāghāy bin Shāhrukh (Chagatay: میرزا محمد تراغای بن شاهرخ; Persian: میرزا محمد طارق بن شاهرخ), better known as Ulugh Beg (Persian: الغبیک; 22 March 1394 – 27 October 1449),[a] was a Timurid sultan, as well as an astronomer and mathematician.
Ulugh Beg was notable for his work in astronomy-related mathematics, such as trigonometry and spherical geometry, as well as his general interests in the arts and intellectual activities.[1][2] It is thought that he spoke five languages: Arabic, Persian, Chaghatai Turkic, Mongolian, and a small amount of Chinese.[3] During his rule (first as a governor, then outright) the Timurid Empire achieved the cultural peak of the Timurid Renaissance through his attention and patronage. Samarkand was captured and given to Ulugh Beg by his father Shah Rukh.[4][5]
He built the great Ulugh Beg Observatory in Samarkand between 1424 and 1429. It was considered by scholars to have been one of the finest observatories in the Islamic world at the time and the largest in Central Asia.[1] Ulugh Beg was subsequently recognized as the most important observational astronomer from the 15th century by many scholars.[6] He also built the Ulugh Beg Madrasah (1417–1420) in Samarkand and Bukhara, transforming the cities into cultural centers of learning in Central Asia.[7]
However, Ulugh Beg's scientific expertise was not matched by his skills in governance. During his short reign, he failed to establish his power and authority. As a result, other rulers, including his family, took advantage of his lack of control, and he was subsequently overthrown and assassinated.[8]
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- ^ a b Science in Islamic civilisation: proceedings of the international symposia: "Science institutions in Islamic civilisation", & "Science and technology in the Turkish and Islamic world"[1]
- ^ Ulugh Beg, OU Libraries, Britannica Academic
- ^ "Samarkand: Ulugh Beg's Observatory". Depts.washington.edu.
- ^ "Ulugh Beg and His Observatory". University of Washington. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
- ^ "Ulugh Beg". MacTutor. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
- ^ "The Legacy of Ulugh Beg | Central Asian Monuments | Edited by H. B. Paksoy | CARRIE Books". Vlib.iue.it. Archived from the original on May 19, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
- ^ The global built environment as a representation of realities: By author:A.J.J. Mekking [2]
- ^ "Ulugh Beg". The University of Oklahoma Libraries. Britannica Academic. Archived from the original on September 19, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2018.