Echoes of the Great Empire

University of Leiden (Netherlands) published an article "Amir Temur and Europe", dedicated to the birthday of the great military leader and statesman, an outstanding ancestor of the Uzbek people.

Its author - a senior fellow at the University of Elena Paskaleva, a member of the conference "The historical legacy of scientists and thinkers of the medieval East, its role and importance for modern civilization", held in Samarkand on 15-16 May 2014.

The article notes that, as a visionary politician and a great statesman, Amir Temur managed to build one of the largest and most powerful empires in the fifteenth century, which reached an unprecedented flourishing of science and education, culture and spirituality.

"At the moment, his legacy is widely known both scientific and political circles outside of Central Asia, - the author writes. - Being a wise politician with broad-minded, he went down in history primarily as a creator. Amir Temur is one of the few great generals, whose names are associated with a recognized architectural style. Monuments of architecture in the modern era Temurids Uzbek cities of Samarkand and Shakhrisabz are known worldwide as the unique masterpieces of Islamic architecture. They are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List".

Talking about the capital of the empire - Samarkand, the author emphasizes the wisdom of this choice, due to the value of the city at the height of the Great Silk Road as a transcontinental crossroads of religions, cultures and trade.

The article notes that the routes of the ancient ways still have enormous potential, representing economic benefits through tourism development and implementation of intercultural dialogue.

"Amir Temur was very famous among Europeans since the fifteenth century. His image was widely known figures disclosed medieval literature", - the article says.

As an example, an English poet and playwright Christopher Marlowe, who wrote a play about a great commander in two parts in the 1563-1594 years.

Appreciating the impact of Amir Temur culture of the Renaissance and modern Europe, the author notes that relations with Europe Timurids dynasty developed in the early XV century.

"European rulers, especially the French king Charles VI of Castile and King Henry III, seen in the face Sohibkirana reliable ally and respectfully referred to him, - writes E.Paskaleva. - In this regard, the leaders of European countries - Spain, France and Britain sought to join with him in the diplomatic correspondence and exchanged ambassadors. In turn, the great ruler strongly supported this relationship, suggesting the King Charles VI of France to create a union, as well as to develop trade relations".

Amir Temur was not only an outstanding military commander, politician and experienced diplomat. In the creation of a powerful empire played an important role, its foreign policy. He paid special attention to foreign diplomats to establish closer cooperation.

"According to the ambassador Ruy Gonzalez de Clavijo, directed to Samarkand Spanish King Henry III of Castile in 1403, Temur generous care about the after Castile played an important role in the development of medieval diplomacy", - the author writes. In this context, the publication noted that "de Clavijo memoirs are one of the most prominent primary sources about the life and activity of Amir Temur".

IA "Jahon"