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1HISTORY OF TURKIC-ISLAMIC EDUCATION AND PEDAGOGICAL THOUGHT IN THE MIDDLE AGES (IX-XIVCENTURIES) RULER FATE, SCIENTIST LIFE MOHAMMED TURAGAY ULUGH BEY
phd on pedagogy, F.Z.MEMMEDOV ASPU, head teacher.
Summary. Ulugh Bey is the grandson of the brilliant Turkish general and conqueror Amir Teymur. Born on March 22, 1394 in the city of Sultaniye, Azerbaijan, Ulugh Bey's real name is Muhammad Taragay. Ulugh Bey grew up near his grandfather in Samarkand, the capital of the Timur Empire. He was destined to be a ruler, a scholar and a lifelong thinker. The knowledge he brought to science is considered very valuable and important even today. Ulugh Bey Ayda is one of the three Turko-Islamic scientists whose name is written, and the only one among the rulers. Unfortunately, Ulugh Bey is a forgotten scientist and statesman in the Turkish world. It is from this point of view that I wanted to write about Ulugh Bey and note his appreciation of science and scientists.
Key words: Ulugh Bey, Timurid Empire, Turk-Islamic culture, Middle Ages culture, scholar with a ruling destiny, Samarkand observatory, Samarkand Madrasah, sad end, beginning of the end, Ulugh Bey's tomb,
No matter how much time passes, no matter who comes and goes, no matter what stars rise and fall, I would say: Samarkand has only one star, and that is Ulugh bey! His image is depicted in one of the Renaissance engravings to the right of an allegorical figure of science, among the world's most prominent scientists. Because at that time, no scientist in the world could compare with him in the
accuracy of his observations and calculations.
Noble Child: He was born as the crown prince of a great empire. He was the grandson of the brilliant Turkish general and conqueror Amir Timur. His grandfather, Timur, who was the founder of the Timurid empire, had taken under his rule a large region, including Khorazm, East Turkestan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, India, Delhi Sultanate and part of the lands of the Ottoman State.
Even at a young age, unlike his brothers, he stays away from the palace and government work. He is not interested in military activities such as galloping in the fields, holding belts and playing with swords. Even though all this was pointed out to him, he did not change his mind. (5. Page 46)
They were raising him as a future ruler, giving him the education that would be suitable for his throne. He took lessons from the famous scholars and mursuds of Tabriz. Ulugh Bey, who came to the position of manager at a very young age, chose to engage in science instead of expanding the lands inherited from his grandfather.
On March 22, 1394, Ulugh Bey's real name was Muhammad Taragay, who was born on a beautiful Nowruz morning in the city of Sultaniya, South Azerbaijan, where his father was once the governor.
From his childhood, Muhammad was called by the name of Ulugh Bey, which means great (Ulu) Bey. Over time, this name took the place of his real name and went down in history with this name. Ulugh Bey grew up near his grandfather in Samarkand, the capital of the Timur Empire.
Timur paid attention to the good upbringing of his youngest grandson, Ulugh Bey, who was a candidate for state administration in the future. At a young age, together with his grandfather, he traveled to many countries, especially India. (12. Page 35)
A smart child: Ulugh Bey, who has a very strong memory, memorized the Holy Quran at the age of eleven. As a child, he learned Arabic and Persian as well as religious education. Ulugh Bey loved sciences such as astronomy, mathematics, physics, and geometry. In particular, he enjoyed solving math problems and reading astronomy books. Due to his interest in astronomy, Ulugh Bey wanted to see Maragha Observatory during a trip he took at a younger age. (6. Page 48)
Statesman: After Ulugh Bey's grandfather Timur died in 1405, the empire was shared among his sons. Ulugh Bey's father, Shahrukh, became the ruler of Samarkand, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkestan regions, which were a large part of the empire. Shahrukh, who came to the throne two years after the death of the emir, in 1407, finally freed the state from conflicts, accepted his sultanate to all the rebels, and moved the capital to Herat. Shahrukh, who wants his son to be a good statesman, gives Ulugh Bey the management position when he is still 16 years old.
The young crown prince began to rule Khorasan and Maveraunnehir regions as his father's representative. During this work, Ulugh Bey remained attached to his father, the ruler Shahrukh. Young Taragay, who avoided disrespecting his father, did not forget to talk to him about the important things he was going to do. (6. Page 48)
Muhammad Taragay did not actually want to become a statesman, but wanted to get into the books, read, research, and do scientific work. He was nothing like his grandfather. His grandfather Timur made his country an empire with the lands he conquered during his lifetime. His grandson was not interested in the Earth, but rather in the Sky. However, being a man of the ages did not stop him from his scientific studies. On the contrary, the young statesman tried to give all the opportunities he had to the service of science and knowledge. He took advantage of this divine opportunity and brought unique books and famous scientists from all over the world, opened madrasahs, libraries, and established scientific institutions. It increases the funds for the patronage of such works by ten. Scholars who learned about Ulugh Bey's activities flocked to Samarkand. Royal respect, scientific environment and prosperity awaited them here. Also, intelligent teenagers were sent to Samarkand from all around. Their livelihood and education was under the patronage of Ulugh bey treasury.
In those years, Ulugh bey wrote a book and sent it to his father - Herat. Shahrukh sultan gets angry after reading the book. He writes this letter to his son:
"Have you finished your work with the earth, and now you are going to touch the sky?" Of course, the precious library of Ulugh Bey, the astrological instruments he invented, and the great science of that time have not survived to this day. And even today, there is no desire to restore that scientific environment in these places. Because there is no school. The school has no owner. The one who has free will does not know about school and science. There are only boasts of the past, long gone... (4,137-138)
Samarkand Madrasah
In order to increase his work related to science, Ulugh Bey first started to create a science center in Samarkand under his control in 1417. The two-story Samarkand Madrasah is also a great work of art with its architecture, a pearl of Turkish-Islamic culture.
There was a professor at the head of this beautiful madrasa. Ulugh Bey, who invited famous astronomers and mathematicians to teach here, directly chose the teachers who would teach at the Samarkand Madrasah. He brought Bursali Kadizade, a famous astronomer and mathematician of the time, to the head of the school's administration. Kadizade also worked as a teacher here.
At the same time, Ulugh Bey was a teacher, attended classes and participated in scientific studies at the madrasa. In addition, he followed the lessons of Ghiyasuddin Jamshis al-Kashi and Bursali Kadizadeh, valuable scholars of this madrasa.
Astronomy and mathematics were given special importance in the Samarkand Madrasa, where many lessons and science were taught. Samarkand Madrasa, where more than 100 teachers work, as an academy where science is taught at a high level and scientific studies are carried out, has become one of the most important scientific centers of the Islamic world in a short period of time. (2. Pg. 117)
Samarkand Observatory: Ulugh Bey decided to establish another observatory in Samarkand after the Samarkand Madrasah. Kuhak hill, three kilometers away from the city, was chosen as the most suitable place for the observatory.
The construction of this observatory started in 1428. The observatory, whose building was completed, impressed those who saw it with its cylinder-shaped architecture. Samarkand Observatory was opened by a beautiful woman - Ulugh Bey's mother Govhar Shad. This observatory was in the form of a cylinder with a diameter of 46 meters and a height of more than 30 meters. Inside this building, a huge marble sextant was built. With its help, the coordinates of the Sun, Moon, other planets and stars were determined (10, 6).
Together with these valuable people, Ulugh Bey made important researches for science. The most valuable of them is the work called "Ulugh bey Ziji" (Ulug bey star catalog). This work, made in the 15th century, sheds light on today's astronomical studies. Ulugh Bey's work written in 1437 was a catalog of the starry sky, which reflected the coordinates of more than 1000 stars. In these tables, the coordinates of the stars are determined with such accuracy that 250 years before the invention of the telescope, it was impossible to believe that such accuracy was possible. For a long time, "Sultani Tables" was used as the most accurate catalog in the world, it was published many times in Oxford in 1665, as well as in many European cities.
In 1437, Ulugh bey defined the length of the astronomical year as 365 days, 6 hours, 10 minutes, 8 seconds. It differs from the modern definition by only 58 seconds. (3. Page 63)
Scientists who will work in this observatory, where the most perfect instruments and devices of the 15th century were placed, were also the most important astronomers of the time. Ulugh Bey invited famous scientists from different parts of the Islamic world to the observatory. Thus, he began his work with a group of selected scientists. Giyaseddin Jamshid, a famous astronomer and mathematician, became the first head of the Samarkand Observatory. After his death, Kadiza from Bursa and then Ali Gushchu managed the observatory.
The child's request from the ruler: Amir Teymur's love for her had become the language of memory. There was also a story about the love between grandfather and grandson: "Teymur, who has a very strong feeling, is thinking of invading the Turkish territory called Mardin and putting the entire population to the sword the next day. But when he is lying in his tent, exhausted from pain and wine, the news brought by the chapar improves his mood. They inform him that the first child of his eldest son Shahrukh has been born. Timur then remembers the dream he had a few days ago. In a dream, they gave good news to the emir because of the birth of a completely different person from his lineage. After Chapar's news, he remembers that dream again and stops slaughtering the people of Mardin."
Sources write that Amir Timur, named after his father (his real name is Turgay Mirza), loved this smart grandson very much, he used to sit on his knee and talk with him. Little Turgay did not take his eyes off the stars even in his grandfather's arms. One day he was with his grandfather Amir Timur. He says that he wants to do science. The ruler thinks for a moment. He remembers Ulugh bey's answer to his question when he was still a child.
One day, Amir Timur comes to Gulistan garden. He has to stay there for a while. That's why he gives a task to the witnesses. They bring their grandchildren to him. In the clearness of the night, one of his grandchildren asks Ulugh bey:
- I'll tell you what your heart wants!
The child slowly raises his hand. He points to a twinkling star in the sky and says:
- Grandpa, I want him!
Amir Timur is surprised by the child's answer. Ulugh bey's unusual answer makes him think. (8. Page 98)
Sad ending: No matter how much Ulugh bey escapes from the palace and the throne, he cannot escape from the fate. Time comes and he sits on the throne of the ruler. After the death of his father, ruler Shahrukh, he became the head of the Timuri state in 1447. But his reign did not last long. Ulugh Bey, who was a merciful and just statesman, ruled for only two years.
During his reign, Ulugh Bey, who was in favor of peace and not war, thought that he would serve his country by developing science and culture. In this regard, the entire state made the biggest investment in science during its human existence. The wise ruler, instead of conquering the Earth, considered it better to reveal the secret of the Sky. It is a pity that there were many people in his country who did not agree with him. (8. Page 98)
Those who did not want Ulugh Bey to be the ruler in the Timurid state started to raise rebellions in the country. One of them was Ulugh Bey's eldest son. His son Abdullatif opposes him. He also refuses to fight with his son. On October 24, 1449, he surrendered and asked for peace. The sheikhs set up a court for him on the same day. They accuse him of cruelty and injustice. He only asks the court for permission to stay in Samarkand and study science. The court decides that the khan must go to Mecca to wash away his sins. The son promises not to kill his father. Ulugh bey leaves the court and comes home. However, the sheikhs made another decision that very night: Ulugh bey was sentenced to death.
After three days, Ulugh bey Haji leaves for Makkah with Khorasan. At this time, Ulugh bey tries to clarify for himself the reason why his son Abdullatif hates him so much. The blanket gait of the abandoned horse adds weight to these thoughts. He remembers that he once wanted to know his future fate by looking at the horoscope, which he knew very well. Looking at the horoscope, he sees that his death will be caused by his son Abdullatif. Of course, for the great mathematician and astronomer of the time, divination was not so important. But there was reason to believe in fortune-telling. In advance, he put all his attention on his youngest son, Abdulaziz. Because Abdulaziz, like his father, was very interested in science. Abdullatif, like his father, "didn't rebel" and stuck to the sword. For this reason, Ulugh bey sends his eldest son to his father Shahrukh - in Herat and deprives him of his inheritance. He thinks that Abdullatif, who grew up with sword training, will become wiser after this. But it doesn't
happen like that. Every day he was in Herat armed him with hatred towards his father. After the death of his grandfather Shahrukh, he used the opportunity to gather a large armed group. He attacks the palace of his father, who is obsessed with science. He captures the palace within a few hours. Because many nobles in the palace were sold to Abdullatif without Ulugh bey's knowledge.
Chapar keeps them in one of the villages near Samarkand. He says that he brought a letter from the palace. In the letter, it is ordered on behalf of the Khan not to move from where you are standing. The killing of Ulugh bey is assigned to Abbas, a descendant of Sulduz. Because his father was executed by order of Ulugh bey for taking a bribe a few years ago. He received the fatwa, galloped his horse and presented himself to them. He says that Sabiq Khan was sentenced to death because he deviated from the teachings of Islam. Abbas is impatiently waiting for Ulugh bey's hands to be tied and his head to be put on the execution stake. Even though the chapar tied the hands of the great scientist of the time, they did not hand him over to the gallows. They convey the last "grace" of his son Abdullatif to him: "If you completely distance yourself from science and devote yourself to religion and apologize for what you have done, I will forgive you." Ulugh bey looks at the chapar and smiles. His wordless answer surprises everyone. The "word" belonged to Abbas, who had already been waiting for his turn... Abbas's servants bring Ulugh bey with his hands and arms wrapped to the edge of the ditch and make him kneel down. Abbas goes in front of him. The executioner's sword goes up for a moment and hits him in the neck. The head of the ruler of the world rolls back in a daze. Blood stains my sandy tank. Ulugh bey was killed by his enemy Abbas Bey on October 27, 1449.
The father, who forgave his son who rebelled against him despite everything, became a victim of his son who was filled with anger at the age of 55 (1, 221).
The beginning of the end: the day Ulugh bey's head was torn from his body. Three unprecedented executions took place that day: Ulugh bey, the great scholar-ruler of Turkestan, was shot in the neck. The largest astronomical center of the East, the observatory and the science under it, were destroyed, and the scientists who flocked to Samarkand were sentenced to death.
On the morning of Ulugh bey's murder, the observatory was declared a devil's den and destroyed by the public with the fatwa of the palace ulema. Can you imagine, everything, all that stuff, those libraries, those discovered tools, manuscripts given life, that temple, everything and everything in sight was shattered under the "people's anger". Abdullatif, the father killer, did what the people could not do. He destroys the Samarkand observatory to destroy Ulugh bey's fame. Sends wall-piercing balls to destroy a heavy-duty building. Not long after, the news of the death of the former ruler reached Samarkand. However, Ulugh bey's discoveries and famous scientific works, which amazed the world scientists who came after him, are not lost at all (1, 221).
Ulugh bey's close assistant, student and friend Ali Gushchu learns about the tragedy. Ali Dan throws himself into the observatory where he is the boss. He knows that the murder of Ulugh bey means the destruction of his students and works. That's why he quickly gets on his horse and comes to the observatory. Agzinajan leaves the bag full of paper behind the horse and walks away from there as if stealing goods from a fire. He was really stealing goods from the fire. As he was leaving the door, he asked the guard: "Do you know what happened?" "I know", - says the young man with desperate tears. "If you have bread, give it to me. I left the house in a hurry, I couldn't take it." The guard hands Ali his bread. Ali takes the bread and puts it on his lap, throws the sack full of books and runs away from Samarkand. They are rescued by Ali Gushchu, a famous Turkish astronomer and director of the Samarkand observatory. Ali Gushchu first goes to China and then to Herat, taking scientific works. But he can't do anything. Finally, he goes to Istanbul. He published the star chart, the introduction to that chart, and other works. Those works were printed in Damascus and Cairo soon after. Abdullatif had already sentenced him and all the scientists of the observatory to death. Later, some of those scholars will take their heads from Samarkand and run away from the plague, some will kneel on a high sofa and
repent of science, begging for forgiveness for the sake of living, some will go to Mecca for forgiveness, some will fall into poverty and die of hunger. There was no more respect for the scientist and bread in Samarkand.
Who was that Ali? Ali Gushchu! Ali Gushcu, a great scientist of mathematics, astronomy, mechanics, language, eloquence and speech of the Turkish-Islamic world! Ali Gushchu takes refuge with Uzun Hasan, the judge of Aghgoyunlu, together with Ulugh bey's books. Uzun Hasan receives him with respect. For a while, he mediates peace between Sultan Mehmet Fateh and Uzun Hasan at the request of Uzun Hasan. In the following years, Fateh Ali appointed Gushchu as a teacher at the Ayasofia madrasa with a salary of 200 akhchas. Ali Gushchu writes commentary books on Ulugh bey's works, publishes numerous works on astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, physics, mechanical instruments, language and eloquence. He writes the curriculum of Fateh madrasa, the first Ottoman university. He brings the teaching of mathematics, physics, and chemistry to Ottoman madrasa education. After Ali Gush9u, Ottoman Turkish became the language of science for the entire Islamic world, while Persian and Arabic languages came down from the previous floor. What is even more amazing is that this Ali Gushchu himself, his father, grandfather - the descendant of Amir Timur, was a bird breeder for his children. They were master trainers who tamed golden birds, falcons, and falcons, as well as serfs. Young Ali himself was Ulugh bey's poultryman. Like every teenager from Samarkand, birder Ali studied at a madrasa. He also served his master on trips and hunting. One day, Ulugh bey observes the bird keeper's intelligence and separates him from this work and leads him towards science. (13.95).
Thus, the educational environment created by Amir Timur, the scientific environment of Ulugh bey turns the birder Ali into the world-famous Ali Gushchu. Yes, a world-renowned scientist and a savior at the same time! Ulugh bey saved him, that Ulugh Bey! If Ali Gushchu had not stolen those books that night, if he had escaped the death sentence only with his life, those books would have been buried in the ruins of ignorance, the world would not have recognized Ulugh bey, and would not have drawn him to the front row of the greatest scientists. The president of the British American Tobacco (BAT) company bought Graville's book at an auction for 25 thousand dollars and donated it to Islam Karimov 300 years ago. In this way, this rare book is returned to its owner. Here's a miracle! (9. 2)
In the 17th century, the book was published three times in London, then in Paris, Florence and Geneva. The book "Star chart" is so fascinating that many scientists doubt the authenticity of the chart. They consider the observations and calculations made by the scientist to be impossible. For this reason, at the beginning of the 20th century, many scientists from Europe and Asia came to Samarkand, Ulugh bey's homeland. However, they cannot even determine the location of the observatory in Samarkand. They return with regret. But only the Russian archaeologist Vyatkin is stubborn.
It was the Indian rajah Chaisingh who made Ulugh bay famous again. By his order, the works of the great scientist were published and distributed many times in India. He built five observatories similar to Ulugh bey's observatory. Bringing astronomers from all over the world to the observatories, he continued Ulugh bey's unfinished work. The remains of the Ulugh bey observatory were found only after 500 years, in 1908 by archaeologist V.L. Vyatkin. In 1948, a large amount of money was allocated to excavate the hill where the remains of the observatory were found, which allowed the complete discovery and restoration of the observatory. This was a great tribute to the soul of Ulugh bey, who was sleeping in the Gur Amir mausoleum in Samarkand.
In 1908, Vyatkin conducted archaeological excavations around Samarkand. He works in archives and talks with the elderly. In the end, it goes to the archives of the land administration. He works there for several months. After an intense search, he finds a document from the 17th century. The document mentions the sale of a field under the name "talli-rasad". It is determined that that area is located on the Kuhak hill near Kirkhgiz cemetery. Thus, Vyatkin roughly determines where the observatory is. He
comes to that area in the morning. He climbs the hill without haste. He watches the surroundings. The peasants standing below approach him and say:
- This is a holy place, you can't dig here. There is a grave here!
- After all, the grave cannot cover the whole hill!
- Ulugh bey's observatory was here a long time ago.
- Look, I'm looking for that observatory.
The old peasants shake their heads in disbelief. They say to each other.
- We also think that this Russian puppy is looking for a treasure.
Excavation work at the observatory began in 1941, shortly before World War II. However, on June 22, the excavation work is stopped. Work was resumed in 1948. The last excavations provide the basis and opportunity to rebuild the Ulugh bey observatory.
A lonely and mysterious building is erected on a hill that is clearly visible from all four sides of Samarkand. Not very large devices are placed on the roof. In the center, the square found by Vyatkin is strengthened. One end of the square is underground and the other end is outside the building. On both sides of it, various buildings are built to observe the stars and the sun, and to do theoretical work.
The inner walls of the observatory are decorated with pictures and schemes. The pictures and diagrams show the Earth divided into seven domes, nine heavens, seven planets, stars and climate zones. A rich library is also created there. Because the observatory was not only a place of observation. The most knowledgeable people of the time worked there - mathematicians and philosophers. Of course, rammals also worked in the observatory. Because at that time astrology was a more prestigious science than astronomy and mathematics. Thus, mathematics and astronomy were the applied sciences that served science (7. Page 1).
It should also be noted that the star chart book consists of five parts. Two of those five parts are dedicated to divination - the telling of human destiny according to the stars. In the end, it can be concluded that Islamic fanatics were defeated in the struggle with Ulugh bey. That's right, the observatory was destroyed in the struggle, and Ulugh bey was killed as a ruler. But Ulugh bey lives his life in his works. His name and fame spreads to far and near countries and is immortalized in the memory of history. It should also be noted that Ulugh bey had the name Timuri. However, it was not this genealogy that brought archaeologist Vyatkin to Kuhak Hill in Samarkand. The crown of glory of a scientist was his works.
Archaeologist Vyatkin spends several years of his life to find and restore the observatory. He wants to prove that Samarkand was one of the main scientific centers of the world in the 15th century. This fact brings a number of scientists, doctors, criminologists and historians to the Guri-Amir mausoleum in June 1941, five days before the start of World War II. There, on the chest stone of a tomb, it is read: "This bright tomb is the last resting place of the ruler." By defeating the body here, he brought peace to the gardens of paradise and gave happiness to the joy of the inhabitants of paradise. He is also a willing sultan who helps the world and religion, the learned caliph sultan Ulugh bey - may God fill his grave with light... His son did injustice to him and stabbed his father's neck with a dagger. He died in agony on the 10th of Ramadan in 853 AH.
Contrasting pages of history show that Abdullatif was removed from the throne less than a year after the murder of the astrologer Ulugh bey. Then he is executed as a parricide. The new khan, who came to power, buried Ulugh bey's body in the Guri-Amir mausoleum for political purposes. Meanwhile, the sheikhs who issued Ulugh bey's death fatwa and prepared the murder remain alive. Also, they show great zeal in bringing the remains of the funeral to the mausoleum. (11. 6)
The main reason we mention these facts is to show the immortality of science. Yes, it is science that has brought Ulugh bey back to life without fitting into the molds of time.The ruler whose name is written on the moon: Ulugh bey is rediscovered for Europe as an astronomer. The German scientist Johann Henrich, who considers Ulugh bey his master, names the crater he discovered on the Moon after him.
Ulugh Bey's words:
I would prefer to be an individual, to be the ruler of a country where science is the ruler. Learning and trying to learn science is one of the duties of every Muslim man and woman.
Tomb of Ulugh Bey: The tombs of the entire Timur dynasty are lined up in that mausoleum, which is called "Gur Amir" today. Amir Timur is buried in the middle, and his sons Shahrukh and Miranshah, as well as his grandson Ulugh bey, are buried around him. There are up to 10 graves here, but the grave of Amir Timur is carved from black jade stone, the rest are ordinary marble.
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