Analysis of the source

Clavijo's Embassy to Tamerlane

General information

The source tells us about the embassy journey of Spanish ambassador to Tamerlane, who was sent by King Henry III of Castile and Leon in Spain. The Spanish ambassador is Ruy Gonzalez de Clavijo (d. 1412), who is at the same time is the author of this source, since this work was generally a brief description of the journey by himself. Ruy Gonzalez de Clavijo is famous because he is almost one of the first ones to describe the economic stage of Tamerlane?s Empire, as well as the political life of Tamerlane himself in such a detailed form. Subsequently, the time period is limited by the duration of the journey: 1402 ? 1406. The main actions described in the source are the ones in the territory of Tamerlane?s Empire, excluding several moments while getting there. Another characteristic of the source is that it was translated by Guy Le Strange in 1928, New York.

Summary of the source

Generally, the source can be divided into three separate parts:

1. Journey to Tamerlane

2. Tamerlane?s audience

3. Back to Spain

Journey to Tamerlane. This is the least described part, however, there are still some crucial actions. The distance between Seville and Samarqand (Journey distance) is a huge space to cross directly, not visiting any other city. One of the first settlements the embassy was Alanza, where they were met very peachy, were fed and provided with all equipment ? that was one of the main customs of the Empire (to facilitate the embassy?s successful trip, no matter whether to or from Tamerlane?s audience). Later on, the embassy crossed the river Oxus, which is also known as Amu Darya. That was the place, where Alexander the Greatfought his battle with Porus the Indian king whom he defeated. Ultimately, the embassy came to Iron Gates (the only way to pass to Kesh). Kesh was the birthtown of Tamerlane. Here came the time to describe the beauty of the city.

Tamerlane?s audience. The next city after Kesh was Samarqand, where was the palace of Tamerlane. There were many other embassies form different countries. Tamerlane audiences the Spanish embassy very hospitably, mentioning that the Spanish King was his friend. All ambassadors were invited to a festival, where presented many rulers as well. Later on, the ambassador describes Samarqand and its main architectural sights (see below).

Back from Tamerlane. The first city the embassy crossed while home was Bukhara. The author mentions that the latter was no less beautiful and rich as Samarqand. In each settlement or city the embassy was fed and well equipped with all necessities. After Bukhara, the embassy crossed two deserts, other parts of the Empire, which were like the vassals of Tamerlane, including Persia, Georgia, etc. The ambassador mentions many cities he and his fellows visited: Tabriz , Qarabagh , Zanjan, Miyanah, Tungalar [or Tucelar]and Ujan. Aftermath, the port was reached. So, the ship journey ? back home to Spain.

Analysis of the source

The work is mentioning several crucial things, such as: religion, political stage, international relations, economic development, lifestyle, culture and some others.

Religion. The main religion, certainly, was Islam. The source mentions that the main architectural buildings were Mosques, which are the attributes of Islam. The author even described some of them: Bibi Khanum (built in memory of the mother of Tamerlane?s wife ? the Great Khanum); Gur Emir (Mosque situated in Horde, also known as The Timurid Mausoleum ? the Gur Emir). However, it is necessary to mention that Islam was not the only religion of the Empire. For instance, the author mentioned that he met the people of Georgia, who ?were Christians of the Greek rite in matters of religion, but their language is not Greek being an idiom peculiar to themselves? (16). Moreover, there are many traders from China, India, Gathay, Russia, Tartary, Turkey, Armenia, Damascus, and many others. The issue is that all those traders were of different religion, who certainly had some impact on the overall religion of the Empire.

Economic development. Trade was significant for Tamerlane?s Empire. As the author mentions ?Timur therefore now gave orders that a street should be built to pass right through Samarqand, which should have shops opened on either side of it in which every kind of merchandise should be sold, and this new street was to go from one side of the city through to the other side, traversing the heart of the township?(12) . That shows how much important trade was for the Empire, that even Tamerlane took it as of primary concern, since the ruler understood that trade is almost the only way for prosperity. As it was already mentioned, there was much merchandise of all kinds came from all neighboring states (see above). Moreover, the author describes different goods which were produced within the Empire, such as: melons, grapes, and other different types of fruits. Moreover, as the ambassador mentions Tamerlane? Empire was ?not alone rich in food stuffs but also in manufactures, such as factories of silk both the kinds called Zaytumi and Kincobs, also crapes, taffetas and the stuffs? (12). Generally, Tamerlane made good efforts to make his Empire prosperous, and he succeeded.

International relations. Since there were tight commercial relations with the neighboring countries, the political relations were relatively good. Moreover, the author mentioned no one rebellion or any other armed conflict, which were consistent to those times. That is another argument, proving that there was peace established in Tamerlane period. Moreover, as the ambassador mentions, except the Spanish embassy, there were many others from different states, which also means that other countries (sending their embassies) wanted to establish good and tight relations with Tamerlan. However, there was an enemy ? China. The ambassador mentions that ?Timur, was in occupation of lands formerly held in fief to China, and hence that tribute for the same yearly had been due from him to the Chinese Emperor: but seeing that for seven years past no tribute had ever been paid, he Timur must now forthwith pay down the sum? (14). There is obviously a tension between these two states, which could be the origin of a war.

Political stage (form of governance). According to the source, the Empire of Tamerlane was separated into several parts. Each part of the Empire was ruled by different kings, whereas the latters were paying tributes to Tamerlane. For instance: Omar Mirza, grandson of Tamerlane, was the Governor General of Western Persia; Mulla, who was the Moslem governor of a castle of the name of Vicer; Piahacabea, who was the lord of Ispir (another castle); and some others. So, the form of Governance was decentralized, since the Governors of the castles were implementing their own rules, with the permission of Tamerlane. I guess, this form was taken from Genghis Khan, since Tamerlane was claiming that he was one of the descendants of that great Mongol conqueror.

Lifestyle. In my point of view, there were both pastoralist and sedentary forms of lifestyle in Tamerlane?s Empire. Livestock was very cheap and it was in abundance. Moreover, the author mentions that ?Though indeed Timur was born here (Kesh), yet he was not by descent a citizen of Kesh, being in truth a nomad of the Chagatay clansmen?. Logically follows that his family and tribe as a whole, where he was born, were nomads. Basing on these two arguments, I am sure that there were nomads by the time the Spanish embassy visited the Empire. Concerning the sedentary lifestyle, it is obvious, since there were many cities, which is the main pro argument. Thus, Tamerlane?s Empire was really pluralistic in religion, trade, population, and lifestyle.

Conclusion

Generally saying, the source is significant because of several reasons:

1. As the translator mentions ?No other account of Timur's family home of Kesh (Shahr-i Siabs) and Timur's capital Samarkand provides the kind of interesting detail Clavijo does? (1). It is really full of details, especially in describing the cities and architecture.

2. This source is one of the most reliable (primary source), since the author was the eyewitness of all those actions. Unlike many others, he gathered all those information not from others (texts, interviews, stories), but he experiences that all himself.

3. Also, this source is objective enough, since all manuscripts on Tamerlane and his Empire were made by the scholars were actually were from Samarqand or Bukhara, which means that they were a little predisposed to magnify the greatness of Tamerlane and the Empire. Meanwhile, the Spanish ambassador was a third party, not biased and predisposed to anything.

Date: 2016-06-12; view: 185