Ulugh Beg

Ulugh Beg (1394–1449) was not only one of the greatest astronomers and mathematicians in Turkic-Islamic history but also the fourth ruler of the Timurid Empire. The grandson of Emir Timur and son of Shahrukh, Ulugh Beg crowned his reign not only with political achievements but also with a “Samarkand Renaissance” marked by the pinnacle of science and reason.

Born as Muhammad Taragay, the ruler was born in the city of Soltaniye in Iran during the military campaigns of his grandfather Timur. From an early age, he received instruction from distinguished tutors at the court and developed a profound passion for mathematics and astronomy alongside his military training.

Ulugh Beg at work (generated by artificial intelligence)

Life and Reign

Ulugh Beg was appointed governor of Mawarannahr at the age of fifteen by his father Shahrukh and spent most of his life in the capital city of Samarkand. Unlike his grandfather Emir Timur, he focused not on military conquests but on cultural and scientific advancement. During his reign, he transformed Samarkand into one of the most important centers of science in the world. Although he ascended to the imperial throne in 1447 following his father’s death, his rule was marked by internal turmoil and political struggles.

Scientific Legacy and the Samarkand Observatory

Ulugh Beg’s greatest contribution to history is the massive observatory he commissioned in Samarkand between 1421 and 1429. At this center, equipped with the most advanced observational instruments of its time, he collaborated with the brightest minds of the era, including Kadizade-i Rumi, Ghiyath al-Din Jamshid al-Kashi, and Ali Qushji.

At his observatory, Ulugh Beg systematically studied the night sky. In an era before the telescope had been invented, he used a massive circular measuring instrument to calculate the positions of stars and planets with extraordinary accuracy. The remarkable similarity between his measurements and those made with modern technology continues to inspire admiration in the scientific community.

Ulugh Beg transmitting his findings (generated by artificial intelligence)

Works and His Place in Astronomy

Ulugh Beg’s magnum opus is the star catalog known as the “Zij-i Sultanî” or Zij-i Ulugh Beg. This work contains tables detailing the positions of approximately 1,018 stars and astronomical rules. For centuries in the Western world, it was regarded as the most reliable source and was used as a reference by European astronomers until the 17th century.

Ulugh Beg was not merely an astronomer but also a visionary who advocated for the widespread dissemination of education. He inscribed the hadith “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim” on the doors of the madrasas he established in Samarkand and Bukhara, emphasizing that scientific inquiry was a religious duty. Today, the scientific community continues to honor his legacy by naming a crater on the Moon and an asteroid after him.