The discussion dives into the Persian Renaissance, exploring its remarkable cultural and intellectual advancements. Timur's legacy is overshadowed by his descendants, particularly Ulugh Begh's contributions to mathematics and science in Samarkand. The hosts highlight the artistic brilliance blossoming in Herat, showcasing figures like Gohar Shad and Kamlodin Bizard. They also touch upon the impact of historical atrocities and the importance of preserving cultural memory, weaving in emotional narratives and captivating anecdotes that bring this golden age to life.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Timur's Atrocities and Their Legacy
Timur's cruelty included catapulting heads of Knights Hospitaller and creating towers of people encased in clay.
William Dalrymple recalls hearing these stories and his subsequent research into Armenian communities and their erased history.
insights INSIGHT
Erasing Multi-Ethnic Histories
Modern nation-states in the Middle East often erase multi-ethnic pasts, changing place names and suppressing histories.
This creates a sense of loss and obscured heritage.
insights INSIGHT
Timur's Successors and the Renaissance
Timur's successors, unlike him, fostered a cultural renaissance.
They became great patrons of the arts and sciences, contrasting with Timur's destructive nature.
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The Road to Oxiana is a travelogue by Robert Byron, first published in 1937. It chronicles Byron's adventures with his friend Christopher Sykes as they explore the architectural treasures of Persia and Afghanistan. The book is celebrated for its vivid descriptions and is considered a pioneering work in travel writing. Byron's journey took him through various countries, including Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan, ending in Peshawar, India.
From the Holy Mountain
A Journey Among the Christians of the Middle East
William Dalrymple
In this book, William Dalrymple follows the route taken by John Moschos and his pupil Sophronius in 587 AD, visiting holy places and monasteries across the Byzantine world. Dalrymple's journey takes him through Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Egypt, where he encounters the last remaining Christian communities in these regions. The book delves into the history and current state of Eastern Christianity, highlighting the complex relationships between Islam, Judaism, and Christianity in the Middle East. Dalrymple's account is marked by his vivid descriptions, historical insights, and a deep sense of empathy for the communities he encounters.
Baburnama
Memoirs of Babur
Zahir al-Din Muhammad Babur
The Baburnama is a memoir written by Babur in Chagatai Turkish, detailing his life from his early days as a ruler in Central Asia to his conquests in India. It provides insights into his military campaigns, cultural observations, and personal reflections. The book was later translated into Persian during the reign of his grandson, Emperor Akbar.
A Key to Arithmetic
A Key to Arithmetic
No subtitle available.
Kazi Zade Rumi
No description available.
A Treatise on the Chord and Sign
A Treatise on the Chord and Sign
No subtitle available.
Kazi Zade Rumi
No description available.
After conquering much of Eurasia, Timur showed no interest in building institutions and so after his death, like the Mongol Empire before it, the Timurid Empire soon fragmented and collapsed. However, some of Timur’s grandchildren took over parts of the Empire and ushered in eras of cultural advancement that matched that of the renaissance in Italy. Under the tutelage of Ulugh Begh, great developments in maths and science were made in Samarkand. Under the watch of Shah Rukh, beautiful artistic endeavours were undertaken in Herat. Some of the greatest artists of the Islamic world, such as Bihzad, came from this period. Listen as William and Anita discuss one of the golden ages of Persian culture.
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