Tamerlane: Last Mongol Emperor
If yesterday, we have discuss about Arya
Penangsang, the controversial character from Java, now, we will discuss
Tamerlane, Last Mongol Emperor, because he is controversial character at Islamic
History. For a part of people, including Uzbekistan, he is hero because his
achievment in expantion, but for other people, he is villain because he is “murderer”
for many Muslims.
First, let
back to primary source about Tamerlane. Primary source about Tamerlane is
memoir from Ibn Khaldun who meet Tamerlane immeditialy and be an witness for
Tamerlane s life, read this article until end.
Before we next
discussion, I will tell, we often look person from black and white glasses, example,
person who hate HAMAS will say: HAMAS is terrorist because attack State Of
Israel and kidnapped many Israeli! Whereas, HAMAS only fight Palestine s
indepence and doesn’t torturing prisoners, It is same, in history, don’t see a
person from one side only, because not enough people who really white and who
really black, all of human is gray,exist white side, and also exist black side.
Not my duty tell you who protagonist and who antagonist, because is not fiction
story, that rely on subjectivity, my duty only
serves actually fact and invite you to wise seeing reality.
According
memoir of Ibn Khaldun, Tamerlane is prince from one of Mongol Kingdom, Kingdom
Of Joktai ( Chagatai) in Transoxania, Central Asia, Ibn Khaldun tastify, Tamerlane expand his territories to Asia Minor and India, Tamerlane s army
kill many people at cities who conquer by him.
Important for
know, Genghis Khan as Mongol Empire s founder divide Mongol Empire for his
sons, his son , Chagatai is ruler for Central Asia territories, his son, Tolui
is ruler for Persia territories, and his son, Jochi is ruler for Kipchak
territories.
At 1258 AD,
Genghis Khan s grandson, Hulagu , captured Bagdad from Abbasid Caliphate and at
1260 AD, Mongol Army under Hulagu seize North Of Syria, but in the same year,
they defeated by Mameluke Dynasty Army under General Baybars.
It is concise
history of Mongol Empire, we will discuss completely in other episode, Insha
Allah.
Back to topic, Tamerlane is Chagatai s Mongol Prince who came from Tribe Of
Barlas, he started his carrier from Mayor Of Samarkand, He pointed as Mayor Of
Samarkand by Tugluk Khan, King Of Chagatay who impressed with Tamerlane s skill
stopped his plan to attack Samarkand, Tamerlane s house.
Tamerlane endeavor
unite fractions of Mongol Empire, At 738
H, he succeded conquer Rusia and entered City Of Moscow, At 800 H,he defeat Sultan
Of Delhi, Mahmoud and annexed Kashmir and Delhi.
At 1402 AD,
he destroy Ottoman Army Under Sultan Bayezid I at battle of Ancara, and he
kidnapped Sultan Bayezid I.
Historian
Tamim Ansary write, Tamerlane kill many people in his expedition and he leave
many corpse at India.
But, don’t forget,
Tamerlane also has a positive side, example, he honor Islamic Scholars, and he built his capital, Samarkand, as beuatiful
city, in his government era, Samarkand being
a international market. He increase trade with open new routes beetwen
India and East Persia. He very respect to Muslim Scholars and intelectual, he
use professional architecs to advance his civilization.
After
Tamerlane, not enough Mongol Emperor, Mongol Empire is split, like a era before
Tamerlane, my opinion, Tamerlane maybe has a negative side, but he also has
positive side that give benevit to
civilization. Objectivity is important for seeing history, we is gray peope
with black and white side in each of self.
Recommendation
Book/Journal:
Ansary, Tamim: Dari Puncak Baghdad Sejarah Dunia Versi Islam, Penerbit
Serambi, 2017 M.
Tim Riset
Dan Studi Islam Mesir: Ensiklopedi Sejarah Islam, Penerbit Al-Kautsar, 2019
M.
Hitti,
Philip.K: The History Of Arabs, Penerbit Serambi, 2006 M.
Khaldun ,Ibnu:
Rihlah Ibnu Khaldun, Penerbit Alvabet, 2023 M.
Siregar,
Syahruddin: Timur Lenk Dan Pengembangan Islam, Jurnal Ittihad Vo.1,No.2,
Juli-Desember, 2017 M.
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