Timur (Tamerlane)

Timur, also known as Tamerlane, was a 14th-century Central Asian conqueror. He founded the Timurid Empire, which stretched across parts of modern-day Iran, Iraq, and Central Asia. Although he claimed to be a descendant of Genghis Khan, he was not of Mongolian descent but rather Turkic. Timur is known for his military genius and brutal campaigns, which resulted in the deaths of millions. He left a lasting cultural impact, particularly in the arts and architecture, as he encouraged Persian culture and built magnificent structures, including in Samarkand, his capital.