114. The Persian Renaissance

This podcast episode discusses the Timurid dynasty, focusing on the cultural achievements of Timur's successors after his death. The hosts explore the significant contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and the arts in Samarkand and Herat, highlighting Ulugh Beg's astronomical observatory and the artistic flourishing under Shah Rukh and Gohar Shad. Specific examples include Ulugh Beg's advancements in calculating decimal fractions and the exquisite tile work of Gohar Shad's college for women in Herat. The episode concludes by discussing the legacy of the Timurid Renaissance, its influence on later Mughal art and architecture, and the eventual dispersal of Timurid artistic treasures. Listeners gain insight into a relatively unknown period of significant cultural and scientific advancement in Central Asia.