Shahrukh Mirza

Shahrukh Mirza (; 20 August 1377 – 13 March 1447) was the fourth son of Timur and the longest-reigning ruler of the Timurid dynasty, ruling from 1405 to 1447. After Timur's death, Shahrukh emerged as the most powerful of his sons and consolidated control over the eastern and central parts of the empire. He established his capital in Herat, which became a major center of Persianate culture and Islamic scholarship during his reign.

Reign
Shahrukh’s rule marked a shift from his father’s militarism to a more stable and administrative governance. He maintained control over Khorasan, Transoxiana, and much of Iran, although western territories such as Iraq and Anatolia were lost. His reign was characterized by relative peace, economic recovery, and the flourishing of arts and sciences. He delegated authority to his sons, most notably Ulugh Beg, who governed Samarkand and became a renowned astronomer.

Cultural Patronage
Shahrukh was a major patron of Persian culture, sponsoring poets, historians, and artists. His court historian, Hafiz-i Abru, compiled the Majmaʿ al-Tawārīkh, a universal history that continued the tradition of Rashid al-Din’s Jamiʿ al-Tawarikh.

His wife, Gawhar Shad, was also a powerful cultural figure, commissioning the construction of the Gawhar Shad Mosque and other architectural works in Herat. Under their patronage, Herat became a leading center of Persian miniature painting, architecture, and Sufi scholarship.

Death and Legacy
Shahrukh died in Rayy in 1447 while returning from a campaign. His death led to a succession crisis that weakened the Timurid state. Despite this, his reign is remembered as the golden age of Timurid cultural achievement and administrative stability. His legacy continued through the Mughal Empire, founded by his grandson Babur, which carried forward many Timurid traditions in South Asia.

References

Category:Timurid dynasty
Category:1377 births
Category:1447 deaths
Category:15th-century monarchs in Asia
Category:15th-century Iranian people
Category:People from Samarkand
Category:Sunni Muslims
Category:Persianate societies
Category:Timurid rulers
Category:Burials at Gur-e-Amir
Category:Herat in the Timurid Empire