People from Herat Codexery

Baysunghur

Timurid prince, patron of arts, and calligrapher.

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Ghiyath ud-din Baysunghur, also known as Baysonqor, Baysonghor, or Sultan Bāysonḡor Bahādor Khan, was a Timurid prince and a grandson of Timur. He is noted as a patron of arts and architecture, particularly of Persian miniature painting, and as a prominent calligrapher. He commissioned the Baysunghur Shahnameh and other works.

Life

Baysunghur, the son of Shah Rukh and his chief wife Gawhar Shad, is seen by modern historians as a more capable statesman than his older brother Ulugh Beg, who took the throne. Unlike Ulugh Beg, Baysunghur was never given heavy duties, allowing him to focus on building elegant madrasas in Herat, collecting old books, gathering artists, and drinking. He knew Persian, Arabic, and his native Chagatai.

He supported historians like Hafiz-i Abru, who dedicated his work Zubdat al-tawārīkh-i bāysunghurī to him. By 1417, Baysunghur governed Herat. In 1421, he and his father briefly seized Tabriz from the Qara Qoyunlu.

From there, he brought back to Herat artists and calligraphers who had worked for Ahmad Jalayir. These joined his existing Shiraz-based artists, creating Iran’s most important artistic school by blending both styles. Later, Dust Muhammad Haravi noted Baysunghur’s attempt to copy Jalayirid art after taking Tabriz.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where was Baysunghur born?

Baysunghur was born on 15 September 1397 in Herat.

When did Baysunghur die?

Baysunghur died on 20 December 1433 in Bagh-e Safid palace, Herat.

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Test yourself

Three questions drawn from this entry’s sources. Pick an answer to check it.

1. In which place was Baysunghur born?

Correct.

Not quite. The answer is Herat.

From the source: “In the view of modern historians, Baysunghur was actually a better statesman than his more famous elder brother, Ulugh Beg, who inherited Shah Rukh's throne, but who "must have envied his younger brother, Baisunghur, whom his father never ”

2. In what year did Baysunghur die?

Correct.

Not quite. The answer is 1433.

From the source: “Ghiyath ud-din Baysunghur ( غیاث‌الدین بایسنقر) commonly known as Baysonqor or Baysongor, Baysonghor or (incorrectly) as Baysunqar, also called Sultan Bāysonḡor Bahādor Khan (1397–1433) was a prince of the Timurid dynasty and a grandson of”

3. In what year was Baysunghur born?

Correct.

Not quite. The answer is 1397.

From the source: “Ghiyath ud-din Baysunghur ( غیاث‌الدین بایسنقر) commonly known as Baysonqor or Baysongor, Baysonghor or (incorrectly) as Baysunqar, also called Sultan Bāysonḡor Bahādor Khan (1397–1433) was a prince of the Timurid dynasty and a grandson of”

Answers checked against the source article

Sources

Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.

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