A remarkable historical monument from the era of Amir Temur preserved in London

Historians and their works play a vital role in documenting history and passing it on to future generations. Among the highlights of the “100 Ancient Manuscripts of Uzbekistan” media project, which will be featured in the exhibition of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, is a remarkable historical manuscript from the era of Amir Temur preserved in London.

Sharafuddin Ali Yazdi’s Zafarnama is not only a crucial source illuminating the Timurid era, but also highly regarded as a literary, political, and spiritual reflection of its time.

Sharafuddin Ali Yazdi, who lived in the 15th century, was a distinguished historian, writer, and scholar. His Zafarnama is dedicated to the life and military campaigns of Amir Temur and portrays the grandeur of the Timurid dynasty. The work was commissioned by Ibrahim Sultan, the grandson of Amir Temur. In 1419–1420, he collected information about Temur in Samarkand and its surroundings.

According to historical accounts, several groups gathered, analyzed, and verified the events. Later, Sharafuddin Ali Yazdi revised these initial materials and composed the Zafarnama in a complete and refined literary style.

Content and Significance

The Zafarnama provides extensive information about Amir Temur’s political activities, military campaigns, governance, and diplomatic relations. The events in the work are presented in accurate chronological order, offering detailed insights into the objectives, strategies, and outcomes of each campaign.

This work is not only a historical source but also captivates readers as a literary monument. Sharafuddin Ali’s writing style is distinguished by its rich use of layered expressions, vivid imagery, and deep spiritual undertones.

Manuscripts and Illustrations

The Zafarnama was copied and ornamented at various times throughout history. One such copy, produced in 1533 in Shiraz, is currently preserved at the British Library in London (No. IO Islamic 137).

This manuscript contains over 30 miniatures and is written in Nasta’līq script.

It is also featured in the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan’s media project, “100 Ancient Manuscripts of Uzbekistan”.

The illustrations are likely decorated in the style of the Behzad school, characterized by depictions of royal attire, Safavid-era aesthetics, and vivid military scenes.

From this perspective, Zafarnama is not merely a chronicle recounting historical events; rather, each line of the work reflects the author’s political and social thought, the ideological character of the time, and a respectful, harmonious approach to the historical reality surrounding the figures of Temur and the Timurids. The sequence of events, portrayal of characters, activities of military commanders, and the depiction of political situations are presented in a manner that is both engaging and accessible not only to historians but also to the general readership.

The significance of Zafarnama lies first in its comprehensive depiction of the historical realities of Temur’s era, and second, in its ability to clarify many ambiguous and disputed issues of that period through comparative analysis with other sources. Moreover, the work provides valuable insights into national and universal values, principles of statehood, military art, and diplomacy, positioning it not merely as a historical source, but as a cultural monument of broad scope.

The author’s language is rich, his style clear and distinctive, reflecting the literary-historical writing traditions of that era. His choice of expressions, the vividness and sincerity in descriptions and portrayals, are among the key reasons why Zafarnama has retained its value across centuries.

In conclusion, Zafarnama is not only a historical source documenting the activities of Amir Temur and his descendants but also an invaluable scholarly treasure for studying the political, military, and cultural environment of the Timurid period. Its study and dissemination remain highly relevant today.