☰ Contents · History of Uzbekistan

The mid-14th century and Amir Temur’s rise

Lessons 30 · 1 lessons · A. Muhammadjonov (revised in 2017 by F. Sultonov). O‘zbekiston tarixi (IV asrdan XVI asrgacha) (History of Uzbekistan, 4th–16th centuries), Grade 7. Sharq, Tashkent, 2017 (revised 3rd edition)
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The social and political situation in Transoxiana in the mid-14th century

Textbook: pp. 109–113
GoalDescribe the political fragmentation of Transoxiana in the mid-14th century, Amir Temur’s youth and entry into politics, and the Sarbadar movement.
New words
political fragmentation · siyosiy tarqoqlikBattle of the Mud · Loy jangiSarbadars · sarbadorlardarugha (Mongol-style governor) · dorug‘a
Explanation

In the 1350s and 1360s Transoxiana broke into nearly ten independent beyliks, whose mutual wars ruined the economy, while the khans of Moghulistan kept raiding the land. According to the traditional date, Amir Temur was born on 9 April 1336 in the village of Khoja Ilghar near Kesh, in a family of elders of the Barlas clan; in his youth he studied and practised horsemanship and military exercises. When the Moghulistan khan Tughluq Timur invaded Transoxiana twice in 1360–1361, Temur went to the khan and was appointed darugha of Kesh. Then he allied himself with Amir Husayn, ruler of Balkh, and fought the Mongols; in 1365 they were defeated at the “Battle of the Mud” on 22 May by the Chirchiq. After that the people of Samarkand, led by the teacher Mawlanazada, the craftsman Abu Bakr Kalawi and archers (the Sarbadar movement), defended the city against the Mongol army and Ilyas Khoja withdrew. In 1366 Temur and Husayn came to Samarkand and negotiated; two Sarbadar leaders were hanged on Husayn’s order, and Temur saved Mawlanazada. The struggle between Temur and Husayn then continued in 1366–1370. Information about Temur’s youth comes mostly from later historians.

Worked examples
Sarbadars — Persian “sar” (head) and “dar” (gallows): “those who staked their heads”.
Timeline: 1336 birth → 1360–61 Mongol invasions → 1365 Battle of the Mud → 1366 Sarbadars → 1370 the decisive struggle with Husayn.
Class activity

“The year 1365”: children draw the “Battle of the Mud” on a map and mark the allied and enemy sides.

Practice
1
What happened in Transoxiana in the mid-14th century?
2
When and where was Amir Temur born?
3
Who were the Sarbadars and whom did they fight?
4
Why do you think Temur went to Tughluq Timur?