Genealogy of the Timurids

This document presents a rare genealogical chart of the Timurid dynasty, produced in 1405, the year of Amir Timur’s death. It should be understood not merely as a family tree, but as a political instrument of dynastic legitimacy.
One remarkable feature is the use of the Uyghur script. Although Arabic script dominated the Islamic world by this period, the Timurids deliberately preserved this older writing system
The visual structure is equally meaningful. Members of the dynasty are represented in circular medallions connected by red lines indicating lineage. The highlighted central portrait emphasizes the founder of the dynasty, transforming the chart into a visual argument for political continuity.
Such genealogies also had practical administrative importance. Following Timur’s death, succession became a critical issue, and documents like this helped establish the legitimacy of his descendants.
This manuscript illustrates how Timurid authority was constructed not only through conquest, but also through genealogy, tradition, and political symbolism.