Pir Muhammad (son of Umar Shaikh)

Last updated • 5 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Pir Muhammad
Timurid Prince
Born1379
Died18 May 1409(1409-05-18) (aged 29–30)
Issue See below
Names
Pir Muhammad Mirza
Dynasty House of Timur
Father Umar Shaikh Mirza I
Mother Malikat Agha
Religion Islam

Pir Muhammad Mirza (c.1379 – 8 May 1409) was a Timurid prince and a grandson of the Central Asian conqueror Timur by his eldest son Umar Shaikh Mirza I.

Contents

Unlike many of his relatives, Pir Muhammad did not assert a claim to the throne in the aftermath of Timur's death. Instead, he consolidated and maintained the position that he had previously been given by his grandfather. He was assassinated by his own soldiers while campaigning in 1409.

Early life and background

Pir Muhammad was born c.1379 and was the eldest son of Umar Shaikh Mirza I by his wife, the Mongol princess Malikat Agha. His father, the eldest of the four sons of Timur, died in 1394 when Pir Muhammad was about fifteen years old. His mother, a daughter of the Khan of Moghulistan, Khizr Khoja, was subsequently remarried to Umar Shaikh's younger brother Shah Rukh. [1]

Following his father's death, Pir Muhammad was appointed to his former post as governor of Fars, which had been conquered from the Persian Muzaffarid dynasty by Timur a few years earlier. [2] However, Pir Muhammad appears to have earned his grandfather's ire during this time, being punished twice by Timur for suspected misbehaviours. It is perhaps due to these chastenings that the prince chose to adopt a relatively cautious position in the succession struggle following Timur's death. [3]

War of succession

Timur died in 1405, whilst leading his army east in a campaign against the Ming Dynasty of China. [4] As he had no unambiguously appointed heir, a succession dispute erupted among his surviving sons and grandsons. [5] Pir Muhammad and his younger brothers, Iskandar and Rustam, all held neighbouring governorships at this time. [6] However, Pir Muhammad, twenty-five years old and long established in his position, was the most powerful among his siblings. [7] Several regional cities, such as Yazd and Abarkuh, quickly declared their support for the prince and some of his advisers urged him to seek the endorsement of the Abbasid Caliph in Egypt. However, Pir Muhammad instead opted to declare his support for his uncle Shah Rukh. [8] Given that the latter was also their step-father, Pir Muhammad saw that he and his brothers were duty-bound in providing their loyalty. [note 1] However, this vassalship appears to have been in name only, as Pir Muhammad effectively acted as an independent monarch within his domains. [9]

The young prince began gathering the troops scattered throughout the region. However, he was soon drawn into infighting with his brothers. Iskandar, unsatisfied with his governorship of Yazd which had been bestowed on him by Pir Muhammad, [8] launched an invasion on Kerman in 1406/07. Pir Muhammad grew alarmed by this and captured Iskandar and seized his territories, though the latter quickly absconded to their brother Rustam in Isfahan. Pir Muhammad launched an assault on the city and upon failing to capture it, ravaged the surrounding countryside. Rustam and Iskandar launched a retaliatory attack against Pir Muhammad's capital of Shiraz, though this was similarly in vain. Rustam instead turned his attention to the eastern regions of Fars and began to plunder them, his forces bolstered by local rulers who had abandoned his brother. In vengeance for this, in 1407/08, Pir Muhammad led his army in an attack against his brothers' troops. The two forces met near the meadow of Gandoman, where Pir Muhammad ultimately prevailed. Though both Iskandar and Rustam had fled, [10] Pir Muhammad was able to win the support of much of Rustam's army by declaring an amnesty. Through a combination of favour and force, he took control of his brother's former territory before proceeding to Isfahan. The city offered no resistance to the conquering army, in response to which the prince rewarded the population by giving a tax relief. [11] He subsequently named his son Umar Shaikh the new governor of the region. [12]

Death and aftermath

In the absence of his rivals, Pir Muhammad was able to consolidate his power in the region. He eventually reconciled with Iskandar, who agreed to assume a subordinate position, later accompanying him on an expedition against Kirman. [10] However, during this campaign, on the night of 18 May 1409, Pir Muhammad was murdered in his tent by a group of common soldiers. [13] The prince's body was looted of its clothes and left naked. [14] The instigator of the attack was Husayn Sharbatdar, a former pharmacist from the Shiraz bazar whom Pir Muhammad had favoured and raised to the rank of amir. [13] [15] He and the other assailants had also attempted to hunt down and kill Iskandar, but ultimately failed to locate him. Gathering his allied amirs, Sharbatdar then marched his troops out towards Shiraz. [13]

Iskandar, who had been in his brother's camp, was said to have been so distressed upon learning of Pir Muhammad's murder that he was unable to dress himself. Wearing only his shirt, a cap and a single boot, the prince mounted his horse and fled to Shiraz, where the city leaders swore allegiance to him. When Sharbatdar's forces arrived at the city gates, they found them barred. As a result, the amir began to haemorrhage supporters and by noon of that day, only fifty riders remained, all of who were promptly captured. Iskandar made an example of the main perpetrators of Pir Muhammad's murder with exemplary punishments. Sharbatdar himself, having had his beard and eyebrows shaved, was dressed in women's clothing and displayed in public, before being dismembered; his head was kept in Shiraz while his hands and feet were each sent to a different city. [13]

Family

Wives and concubines

Issue

By Nigar Agha

By Adil Sultan Agha Qaraunas

By Shirin Malik

By unnamed mothers

[16]

Notes

  1. The fact that he was married to a sister of Gawhar Shad, Shah Rukh's chief wife, may have predisposed Pir Muhammad towards this alliance. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timurid Empire</span> Persianate Mongol empire (1370–1507)

The Timurid Empire was a late medieval, culturally Persianate, Turco-Mongol empire that dominated Greater Iran in the early 15th century, comprising modern-day Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, much of Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and parts of contemporary Pakistan, North India, and Turkey. The empire was culturally hybrid, combining Turkic, Mongolic, and Persian influences, with the last members of the dynasty being "regarded as ideal Perso-Islamic rulers".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shah Rukh</span> Ruler of the Timurid Empire from 1405 to 1447

Shah Rukh or Shahrukh Mirza was the ruler of the Timurid Empire between 1405 and 1447.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sultan Husayn Bayqara</span> Timurid ruler of Herat (c.1469–1506)

Sultan Husayn Bayqara Mirza was the Timurid ruler of Herat from 1469 until May 4, 1506, with a brief interruption in 1470.

Pir Muhammad Mirza was a Timurid prince and briefly succeeded as King of Timurid Empire after the death of his grandfather Timur the Lame. He was the son of Jahangir Mirza who was the actual successor to the throne but had died before his father. Next in line was Umar Shaikh Mirza I but he too died. Pir Muhammad's brother Muhammad Sultan was appointed Timur's heir, but he had succumbed to battle-wounds in 1403. This left Shah Rukh, whom Timur considered too meek to rule and Miran Shah who suffered from mental difficulties post head trauma. Timur felt that none of his sons were capable of ruling so he named Pir Muhammad as his successor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miran Shah</span> Timurid Prince

Mirza Jalal-ud-din Miran Shah Beg, commonly known as Miran Shah, was a son of the Central Asian conqueror Timur, founder of the Timurid Empire.

Khalil Sultan was the Timurid ruler of Transoxiana from 18 February 1405 to 1409. He was a son of Miran Shah and a grandson of Timur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yunus Khan</span> Khan of Moghulistan from c.1462 to 1487

Yunus Khan, was Khan of Moghulistan from 1462 until his death in 1487. He is identified by many historians with Ḥājjī `Ali, of the contemporary Chinese records. He was the maternal grandfather of Babur, founder of the Mughal Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iskandar (Timurid dynasty)</span> Timurid Prince

Iskandar Mirza was a member of the Timurid dynasty and the grandson of its founder, the Central Asian conqueror Timur. Iskandar was among the princes who attempted to claim the throne in the aftermath of Timur's death. He became a prominent ruler and was notable for his strong interest in culture and learning. He was defeated by his uncle Shah Rukh and later executed during a rebellion attempt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timur</span> Turco-Mongol conqueror (1320s–1405)

Timur, also known as Tamerlane, was a Turco-Mongol conqueror who founded the Timurid Empire in and around modern-day Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia, becoming the first ruler of the Timurid dynasty. An undefeated commander, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest military leaders and tacticians in history, as well as one of the most brutal and deadly. Timur is also considered a great patron of art and architecture, for he interacted with intellectuals such as Ibn Khaldun, Hafez, and Hafiz-i Abru and his reign introduced the Timurid Renaissance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abu Sa'id Mirza</span> Sultan of the Timurid Empire (1451–1469)

Abu Sa'id Mirza was the ruler of the Timurid Empire during the mid-fifteenth century.

Sultan Mahmud Mirza was a Timurid prince from the branch of Transoxiana. He was the son of Abu Sa'id Mirza, the ruler of the Timurid Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Umar Shaikh Mirza I</span> Timurid prince (1356–1394)

Mu'iz-ud-din Umar Shaikh Mirza was a member of the Timurid dynasty and a son of its founder, the Central Asian conqueror Timur. Known for being a skilled soldier, Umar Shaikh was one of Timur's military commanders and also served as a regional governor. He died in 1394, predeceasing his father by over a decade.

Ghiyas-ud-din Jahangir Mirza was a member of the Timurid dynasty and a son of its founder, the Central Asian conqueror Timur. He was Timur's favourite son and served as one of his military commanders as well as his heir apparent. However, Jahangir died in 1376, predeceasing his father by almost thirty years.

Sultan Husayn Tayichiud was a noble of the Timurid Empire and a maternal grandson of its founder, the Central Asian conqueror Timur. Sultan Husayn held prominent positions in the Imperial army and accompanied his grandfather on several of his military campaigns. He was executed by his uncle Shah Rukh during the war of succession following Timur's death.

Bayqara Mirza I was a Timurid prince and a grandson of the Central Asian conqueror Timur by his eldest son Umar Shaikh Mirza I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muhammad Sultan Mirza</span> Timurid military commander

Muhammad Sultan Mirza was a member of the Timurid dynasty and a grandson of its founder, the Central Asian conqueror Timur. As Timur's favourite grandson, Muhammad Sultan served as one of his principal military commanders, helping lead forces in successful campaigns against the Golden Horde, Persian kingdoms and the Ottoman Empire. Described by the historian Arabshah as "a manifest prodigy in his noble nature and vigour", Muhammad Sultan was eventually appointed by Timur as heir-apparent to the empire. His premature death in 1403 greatly affected his grandfather.

Rukn-ud-din Ala al-Dawla Mirza, also spelt Ala ud-Dawla Mirza and Ala ud-Daula Mirza, was a Timurid prince and a grandson of the Central Asian ruler Shah Rukh. Following his grandfather's death, Ala al-Dawla became embroiled in the ensuing succession struggle. Though he initially possessed a strategic advantage, he was eventually overtaken by his more successful rivals. Ala al-Dawla died in exile after numerous failed attempts to gain the throne.

Rustam Mirza was a Timurid prince and a grandson of the Central Asian conqueror Timur by his eldest son Umar Shaikh Mirza I.

Malikat Agha was a Mongol princess as well as one of the wives of Shah Rukh, ruler of the Timurid Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kayumarth I</span> Malik

Kayumarth I was the ruler (ustandar) of the Baduspanids from 1394 to 1453, with a three-year interruption. An active expansionist ruler, his kingdom experienced a resurgence during his long reign, which included the reconquest of Rustamdar. He was often at odds with his suzerain, the Timurid ruler Shah Rukh. After his death, a dynastic struggle followed, which resulted in his kingdom being split up by his sons Iskandar IV and Ka'us II, in Kojur and Nur respectively.

References

  1. Woods, John E. (1990). The Timurid dynasty. Indiana University, Research Institute for Inner Asian Studies. pp. 2, 14, 20.
  2. Brend, Barbara (2013). Perspectives on Persian Painting: Illustrations to Amir Khusrau's Khamsah. Routledge. p. 43. ISBN   978-1-136-85411-8.
  3. Manz, Beatrice Forbes (2007). Power, Politics and Religion in Timurid Iran. Cambridge University Press. p. 156. ISBN   978-1-139-46284-6.
  4. Twitchett, Denis C.; Mote, Frederick W. (1998). The Cambridge History of China. Vol. 8, The Ming Dynasty, Part 2. Cambridge University Press. p. 249. ISBN   978-0-521-24333-9.
  5. Sykes, Percy Molesworth (1915). A History of Persia. Vol. 2. Macmillan and Company, limited. p. 136.
  6. Manz (2007 , p. 29)
  7. Manz (2007 , p. 155)
  8. 1 2 3 Manz (2007 , p. 156)
  9. Glassen, E (December 15, 1989). "BĀYQARĀ B. ʿOMAR ŠAYḴ". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Encyclopaedia Iranica Foundation. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  10. 1 2 Manz (2007 , p. 30)
  11. Manz (2007 , p. 158)
  12. Manz (2007 , p. 160)
  13. 1 2 3 4 Manz (2007 , p. 159)
  14. Manz (2007 , p. 2)
  15. Manz (2007 , p. 126)
  16. Woods (1990 , pp. 20–21)