Contributions to the arts
Timur became widely known as a patron to the arts. Much of the architecture he
commissioned
still stands in Samarqand, now in present-day Uzbekistan. He was
known to bring the most talented artisans from the
lands he conquered back to
Samarkand. And he is credited with often giving them a wide latitude of artistic
freedom to express themselves.
According to legend, Omar Aqta, Timur's court calligrapher, transcribed the Qur'an
using letters so small that the entire text of the book fit on a signet ring. Omar also is
said to have created a Qur'an so large that a wheelbarrow was required to transport it.
Folios of what is probably this larger Qur'an have been found, written in gold lettering
on huge pages.
Timur was also said to have created Tamerlane Chess, a variant of
shatranj played on a larger board with several additional
pieces and an original
method of pawn promotion.
Timur's mandating of Kurash wrestling for his soldiers ensured for it a lasting and
legendary legacy. Kurash is now a popular international sport and part of the Asian
Games.
Legacy
Timur's legacy is a mixed one. While Central Asia blossomed under his reign,
other places such as Baghdad, Damascus, Delhi and other Arab, Persian, Indian
and Turkic cities were sacked and destroyed, and millions of people were
slaughtered. Thus, while Timur still retains a positive image in Central Asia, he
is vilified by many in Arab, Persian and Indian societies. At the same time, many
Western Asians still name their children after him, while he is called as «Teymour,
Conqueror of the World» in the Persian literature.
