An Examination of the Political Conditions of the Timurid Dynasty during the Reign of Shahrukh and the Influence of Shahrukh and Timurid Princes on the Flourishment of Persian Painting

Abstract

The examination of the foundations of the Timurid Dynasty in terms of its social, political, economic, and cultural aspects during the reign of Shahrukh, as well as the influence of Shahrukh and the Timurid princes on the flourishment of Persian painting, traces how this government, which originated from Transoxiana, reached this development and how its outcomes contributed to the elevation of Islamic-Iranian civilization. What factors and means enabled this process? Among them were the unwavering support of the kings of this period, who gradually shifted from warfare and conquest to become monarchs interested in the artistic manifestations, ultimately transforming into patrons of the arts. By utilizing two key elements—power and the influence of artistic vision—they introduced a new era in the art of Persian painting. Therefore, with this explanation, the goal of this research is to examine the political, social, economic, and cultural conditions of the Timurid government during the reign of Shahrukh, and the influence of their policies and focus on the growth and advancement of Persian painting culture and art. The research hypothesis suggests that the governance policy of Shahrukh and the Timurid princes, alongside their political and military strength and expansion, in addition to their attention to knowledge and art, laid the foundation for the growth and development of Persian painting in that era. Ultimately, the research concludes that despite the tensions within the Timurid government, through Shahrukh's efforts to overcome them, the establishment of social stability, and the enhancement of political and economic conditions—along with drawing from the experiences of the nation under their rule, adopting other schools of thought, and the efforts of the Timurid princes—led to the advancement and growth of Persian painting culture and art in Iran.