Study of Timur's Military Policies in Expanding Iran's Regional Power
Keywords:
Timur, military policy, regional power, political legitimacy, Timurid history, medieval IranAbstract
This article examines the military policies of Timur and their role in expanding Iran's regional power during the eighth and ninth centuries AH. Using a historical-analytical approach and relying on primary sources such as the Zafarnama and recent research on Timurid history, the study demonstrates that Timur's success was not solely due to military prowess but also to his strategic combination of hard power with religious and cultural legitimation tools. By organizing a highly disciplined army, utilizing military engineering technologies, enforcing strict military discipline, and applying psychological warfare, Timur defeated local Iranian dynasties and established a new structure of regional power. The article analyzes his conquests in Khorasan, Azerbaijan, Iraq-e Ajam, and Fars, and explores the reasons behind his victories over rivals such as the Kartids, the Muzaffarids, and the Jalayirids. It further examines how religion, cultural elites, and official historiographical narratives contributed to legitimizing his campaigns. By comparing Timur's strategies with those of contemporary powers such as the Ilkhanids, Mamluks, and Ottomans, the article highlights that while Timur achieved military hegemony, his failure to institutionalize governance resulted in political instability after his death. The conclusion emphasizes that Timur’s military policies temporarily unified Iran but ultimately paved the way for political fragmentation and the emergence of new dynasties. Finally, the article suggests future research directions, particularly concerning the impact of Timurid policies on the formation of the Safavid state.
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