During the AD 1380s Timur-i Lang, the leader of a small central Asian tribe, invaded and conquered Iran. Known in the West as Timur the Lame or Tamerlane, Timur-i Lang (about 1336-1405) consolidated his power through alliances, marriage and military domination before extending his campaigns to India, Anatolia (modern Turkey) and Syria. Thousands were massacred in the wake of these victories, except craftsmen, who were deported to Samarqand. They were employed to construct large and imposing buildings with colourful tilework and wall paintings to glorify their ruler, such as the Bibi Khanum, the colossal mosque in Samarqand, and Timur’s palace at Sahr-i Sabz.

Although they were of Central Asian origin, Timur’s successors adopted Persian culture, speaking Persian at court and reading Persian poetry. In order to stress the legitimacy of their rule, they commissioned histories supporting their role as political and spiritual leaders. Under one of Timur’s grandsons, Ulugh Beg (reigned 1447-1449), Samarqand became an important centre for scientific research. He ordered a large observatory to be built which still stands today.

However, after Ulugh Beg’s accession to power, the empire entered a decline. Local dynasties took control of their areas and the empire fragmented. One of these local leaders, Babur, founded the great Mughal dynasty.