A Timurid protection document preserved for centuries

🔴 A 15th-century historical source

 

🔴 The Center of Islamic Civilization is enriched with another unique exhibit

 

 

“The document grants Sayyid Nur al-Milla wal-Din Ali and Sayyid Sa‘d al-Milla wal-Din Ahmad ibn Yahyawi, both descendants of the Prophet’s family (sayyids), the rights to be welcomed and respected everywhere, to be assisted in all matters by state dignitaries without demands for gifts or offerings, to be escorted with guards to checkpoints during travel for their safety, to have their mounts exempt from requisition for postal service, to be freed from all taxes and duties, and to have their permanent security ensured in their places of residence…”

 

The above descriptions are taken from a decree written in the name of Mirza Jalal al-Din Iskandar grandson of Sahib Qiran Amir Temur and son of Umar Shaykh Mirza intended for the “Second Renaissance” section of the Museum of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan.

 

This rare document holds a special place in 15th-century diplomatics for its content, historical significance, and high aesthetic quality. The original is preserved in the David Collection in Denmark.

 

Life and activities of Iskandar Mirza

 

One of the lesser-studied members of the Timurid dynasty, Iskandar Mirza was born on April 25, 1384, in Uzgend (present-day Osh, Kyrgyzstan) in what is now Fergana Province. His father was Umar Shaykh Mirza, the second son of the great commander Amir Temur, and his mother, Malikat (or Milkat) Agha, was of Chinggisid descent. Iskandar was first appointed governor of Fergana in 1399–1400 when his father ruled the region.

 

Iskandar Sultan was also known as a patron of art and culture. He supported calligraphers, commissioned the copying of books, and paid special attention to building libraries. The famous calligrapher Maruf Baghdadi served as librarian (custodian) of Mirza Iskandar’s library in Isfahan.

 

The “Khamsa” copied by order of Mirza Iskandar

 

The British Museum in London houses a 546-folio copy of Nizami Ganjavi’s Khamsa, produced on the orders of Mirza Iskandar. Another work commissioned by the prince is the astronomical treatise Mukhtasar dar ‘ilm-i hay’at (“A brief treatise on astronomy”) by Ghiyath al-Din Jamshid al-Kashi. In its preface, it is stated that the work was composed at the order of “Jalal al-Dunya wa al-Din Amirzada Iskandar Bahadur Khan”.

 

By Iskandar Mirza’s order, other works were also written, including the astronomical Rawdat al-Munajjimin (“Garden of the Astronomers”), the alchemical Risalat al-Kibrit al-Ahmar (“Treatise on the Red Sulphur”), and Ghiyas Kirmani’s Aynah-yi Iskandari (“The Iskandari Mirror”). His treatise Mukhtasar dar ‘ilm-i Iqlidus (“Brief Treatise on Euclid’s Science”) focuses on the analysis of five theorems from the geometry of the ancient Greek mathematician Euclid, demonstrating the breadth of the prince’s interest in secular sciences.

 

Iskandar Mirza also showed respect to Sufi masters, and it is known that he built a mosque and khanqah for the mystic poet Shah Ni’mat Allah Wali in the village of Taft near Yazd, Iran.

 

In general, the Timurid prince Iskandar Sultan sponsored the copying, writing, and urban development of numerous religious and secular works, treating sayyids, scholars, and ‘ulama with constant respect and attention.

 

The longest decree in the Timurid heritage

 

This rare document, written in Persian on February 19, 1414, in Isfahan, is recognized as a high example of calligraphic art. While decrees issued by the Timurids were usually 2 meters in length, Iskandar Mirza’s decree measures 6 meters. The entire text is gilded and executed in refined and intricate diwani and thuluth scripts (for headings) in Isfahan.

 

 

Protection Document

 

The decree is dedicated to the protection of Sulayman ibn Yahyawi al-Husayni, a descendant of the Husayni sayyids, and his sons Ali and Ahmad. Historians regard this document as one of the earliest decrees granting protection rights to the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It establishes religious, security, and political rights ensuring respect and consideration for them. The text opens with Qur’anic verses, blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his family, and praises of piety and justice. Symbolic and religious content constitutes three-quarters of the decree’s text.

 

 

This document is not only evidence of the Timurid policy of granting high recognition to the status of sayyids, but also stands as one of the earliest examples of the sacred documents issued for them during the later dynasties of the Qara Qoyunlu, Aq Qoyunlu, and Safavids.

 

The present-day historical significance of the document

 

This decree belonging to Iskandar Mirza will be presented to the public through a replica prepared by the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. It embodies not only the decision of a single ruler, but also reflects the Timurid era’s social policy, intellectual outlook, and moral principles of that time. The Center’s new exhibition will serve to reveal the historical significance of this decree in a modern interpretation. This replica will act as a means of cultural memory, political awareness, and historical identity, inspiring today’s generation to know their history more deeply and to draw lessons from the past.

 

Gavhar Eshonqulova

P/S: The article may be used provided that a link to the Center’s official website is included.