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The battle of Samarkand. Collection of Timurid manuscripts. The Yyldyz Library, Istanbul. Between 1405 and 1409. Samarkand
THE BATTLE OF SAMARKAND


After Timurid’s death his grandson Halil Sultan took power over Samarkand. His rule was not so long (1405—1409) and uneasy. This miniature renders one of the episodes of Samarkand defence. In the central part of the miniature on the main tower there is Halil Sultan shooting from a bow. His name is written here. Figures of fighting people are static, their poses are constrained. Scene of the battle is rendered in genre style, not in heroic and romantic one. We could see not a battle, but a revolt which was crushed down. This painting is quite interesting from the historical point, because it renders atmosphere of Timurid capital city, shows the portrait one of the Timurids, warriors and citizens, their clothes and headwear. It helps to attribute even other unsigned paintings. This miniature is done in the way of tinted drawing.