Apparently, Stalin believed in the curse and ordered Timur be reburied. According to legend, the remains of Timur were taken to the frontlines of Stalingrad to inspire the Muslim troops in the Red Army. Tamerlane was reburied with full Islamic burial rites on December 20, 1942, about one month before the Soviet victory at Stalingrad (though by this time the German Army at Stalingrad was already encircled).