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Spanish Grandee at the court of Movarounnahr ruler

Amir Temur went down into history as a famous commander, who did not lose any of his thousand battles, as one of the five most famous conquerors of all time and peoples. And also as a politician who made a great contribution on creation of statehood, science progress, education, culture. Having appeared on the world arena of the world history, Amir Temur had chosen as a capital of his state not his native town-the city of Kesh (Shakhrisabz), but Samarkand, that laying on the intersection of important Silk Road routes. By the end of XIV century, frontiers of Temur empire stretched from the Volga region and Caucasus in the west to India in the south-east. Glory of Movarounnahr was spread worldwide as well as a glory of its settlements beauty and Sakhibkiran court luxury.

On the eve of XIV-XV centuries, Europe was threatened with a danger of Osman conquest. And at that time, news on power of Central Asian ruler Temur who put under his supervision huge areas of the Middle East and India started coming here. Representatives of many European states reached out for his headquarters. Both Temur and western European rulers were interested in having friendly relations not only because of their joint actions against Osman empire, but with the purpose of commercial ties development. Temur exchanged embassies and letters with Genoa, Venice, Byzantium, France, England...

Centuries have passed, interest to the personality of Amir Temur, an outstanding ruler-reformer of the Middle Ages is not educed but on the contrary increases. Information about his years of government, deeds, his life and life of his confidants attract attention of historians, military specialists, architects, and just readers. The most valuable are testimonies of Temur's contemporaries, imparting their personal observation and impressions. Among such testimonies, a special place takes a "Diary" of journey to Samarkand to the court of Temur (1403-1406) of the Spanish envoy Rui Gonsalez de Clavijo. Experienced diplomat, representative of high culture headed the embassy to the court of Sakhibkiran, sent by the king of Castilia and Leon Enrico III (Henry III de Trastamara). The embassy arrived in Samarkand in 1404. It was a reciprocal visit of Spanish, after Temur defeated Turkish and captured sultan Bayazed, he received congratulations from the Spanish ruler. Sakhibkiran sent his envoy to Madrid with the gifts "in order to fix friendship". And here is - a reciprocal embassy, with rich gifts and a letter from a Spanish king.

Amir Temur (Tamerlane)
Amir Temur (Tamerlane)

The author was keeping his "Diary" during the journey and it has invaluable information about Temur and Movarounnahr of that time. Clavijo's text is remarkable for its sharp-sided observation, objectivity of information, living language and accuracy of details. Composition of the Spanish grandee and even today is the most important source while studying history, economy, culture, way of life of the Middle East and Central Asia beginning of XV century. Clavijo scrupulously describes navigation of Spanish envoys started in 1903 from the Santa Maria port via the Mediterranean along the south of Italy, Greece, Rodos, Hellenic islands near coast of Asia Minor, to Constantinople and further on to Trabezund. Broken out storms made them come back to winter stop, and then they got to Trabezund on horses. Via Sultania they found themselves on the eastern caravan route, passing through Tehran, Nishapur, Balkh, Kesh, Samarkand. Via this branch of the Silk Road European merchants traded with Central Asia, China and Northern India and this part was under control of Amir Temur. Here the envoys were treated very well by his emissaries and every day they were given fresh horses "for the speedy ride".

On August 28, 1404, "got to the large city called Kekh (Kesh). It located in the lowlands traversed from all the sides with irrigation canals and streams. The city was surrounded with the earthen wall and deep ditch, and the gates had drawbridges. Temurbek was from this city Kesh and his farther was born here too", - "the Diary" says. Then, Clavijo in detail describes beauty and grandeur of generic place of Temur, luxury of buildings just amazed imagination even of this European who in his life saw a lot. Here is how he describes architectural complex - Dorus at-Tilavat where Temur's father and his son Jakhongir were buried: "This mosque and burial place are luxury and trimmed with gold, azure and tiles, it has a big area with trees and reservoirs. Every day by the order of senior twenty cooked rams in memory of souls of father and son of Temurbek were delivered". The other day the Spaniards could explicitly examine "large palace" (the matter concerns Ak-Saray palace - R.M.).

There were so much premises, that "at once one could not tell", it was trimmed with "gold, azure and different colors, which could be a surprise even in Paris, famed for its skilled masters. This work would be considered perfect among them as well". Above a door leading in internal rooms, "a lion was represented in the middle on the turquoise background of sun, and on the edges the same images". Further Clavijo explains, that it is not the emblem of Temur, and "of the former senior of Samarkante… Temurbek's emblem is a three circles… It signifies, that he is a king of three parts of the world" (according to the antique view, world consists of three parts of world: Europe, Asia and Africa - R.M.).

A few days the Spaniards had spent being acquainted with the countryside palaces and gardens, where deers and pheasants walked about, where water in fountains and reservoirs ran, participating in feasts and holidays. At last, they were informed, that Temur wished to receive them and explained, that the more notable the envoys were the later they would be received.

On September 8, the embassy left for Samarkand. The road passed through the green valley. Clavijo recorded in his "Diary": "There are a lot of these gardens and vineyards around the city, when you come up to them, it seems, that you are approaching the whole wood of high trees and in the middle the city itself lies. And through city and these gardens the set of irrigation canals is built, there are a lot of melons and cotton are grown up in these gardens. And melons in this land are excellent… This land is rich with everything - bread, wine and meat, fruits and birds, rams are very large and have large fatty. And there are so many of these rams here and they are so cheap… a pair of them costs one ducat only. Other goods are also very cheap… Bread is so cheap, that it can not be cheaper, and there is a lot of rice… Riches of this land not only in abundance of eatables, but also in silk fabrics, atlas, damask, sandal, taffeta, tersenal which are produced here in large quantities, as well as in fur and silk linings, in ointments, spices and in gold and azure paints and other subjects. Therefore senior very much wanted to glorify this city and, when conquered some lands he brought the people from all the lands, so that they might occupy city and neighboring lands, especially he focused on bringing various craftsmen… Besides, this city is full of different goods, which are brought in it from different countries...".

Remains of Ak-Saray Palace in Shakhrisabz
Remains of Ak-Saray Palace in Shakhrisabz

The same day, the embassy of the Spanish king had been received by the ruler of Movarounnahr. "Senior was sitting on a small silk embroidered bedding and his elbow rested on a small round pillow. He had a smooth silk dress without a drawing, on his head he had a high white cap with a ruby and jewels". After a ceremony of introduction and handing of the letter and gifts to Temur, the Spaniards explained the purpose of the embassy. "Temurbek… had addressed to men sitting at his legs, and said "Look at these envoys, who were sent to me by my son, king of Spain, first of all kings, which Francs have, those living at the edge of the world" (according to Muslim view, the Francs are the people from European Christian countries - R.M.). In support of this, the Spaniards were asked to sit down on the eminence from the right hand of Temur, higher than the envoys of the other countries.

Further pages of Clavijo "Diary" tell about the biography of Temur, his ties, his military campaigns, trade-diplomatic activity, description of Samarkand and also palace ceremonies, magnificent imperial receptions, and holidays. More than once he describes feasts, when wine in barrels was rolled out, where on the spits barbecues of the rams, cows, horses were roasted, game, fruits, sweets were served. The golden bowls with drinks were given to the honorable visitors, victuals were put on gold, porcelain, glass dishes. There was no limit to amusements, performances of musicians, dancers, wrestlers, even the battle elephants of Temur imported by him from India were let out. But Clavijo and his associates saw the mass executions in days of these festivities - ruler of Movarounnahr did not forgive abuses both to grandee and normal people.

Clavijo in detail describes, how luxury were the palaces not only in Samarkand, but also tents and pavilions of Temur's family members and courtiers. They were covered with bright silks, skilful embroideries, carpets, fur of martens, sables, squirrels, decorated with items of silver, gold, jewels. Especially, he was amazed with the tent of Temur's eldest wife - Kanyo (Bibi-Khanum). And here is how Clavijo saw Bibi-Khanum: "She came out dressed like this: in a red silk attire, embroidered with gold, broad and long, dragged on the ground, and the skirt was carried by about fifteen women. The face of Kanyo was closed by a white light thin fabric, and on a head there was a red substance looking like a helmet… And this helmet is very high and there was a lot of large, light and round pearls on it, it has a lot of rubies, turquoise and other stones, beautifully set in order. The veil was embroidered with gold, and above all was very beautiful gold garland with a set of jewels and large pearls… Her hair, very black, were scattered on shoulders… This her helmet was supported by many noble women, and she was accompanied by more than three hundred... a canopy was carried above her… from a white silk fabric".

Some pages of "Diary" are devoted to development of crafts, trade in Samarkand. "In this city Samarkante, many different goods are sold out annually which are brought there from Cathay, India, Tartalia and other places and from Samarkand land itself, which is rich enough. And as there was no special area, where it was convenient to trade, senior ordered to build a street, which on both sides could boast shops and booths. All tents were linked by two, all the street was vaulted and it had windows, through which light passed".

In these descriptions one can feel that Clavijo wanted to describe maximal impressions, facts lively. As for the data received from the other story-tellers, they are inexact or even mistaken. And consequently, new translation of "Diary" which has been carried out by Mirokova I.S. is especially valuable (M., publishing house "Nauka", 1990). It has an extensive historical-geographical comment like a plenty of the notes regarding geographical items, mentioned in the text, historical persons, names updating some facts, presented by the Spanish grandee. This translation was also used while preparing the article. And the first translation of "Diary" was done by the famous Russian Slavonic scholar Sreznevski I.I. more than a hundred years ago and published in 1881.

But we shall return to the envoys of the Spanish king. On November 21, 1404, having received the security letters from Temur and escort, they departed from Samarkand and in six days time they arrived "in a large city called Boyar (Bukhara)". They stayed there for almost a week, and in "Diary" there is also a description of this city. Passed Midia, Persia and other lands they were informed in the road about a sudden death of Amir Temur which had happened during a campaign to China on February 18, 1405. Among his successors, the war for the power started. In this connection the Spanish envoys faced a plenty of difficulties on their way back.

The Dairy of traveling to Samarkand to the court of Temur (1403-1406)
"The Dairy of traveling to Samarkand to the court of Temur (1403-1406)"
by Rui Gonsalez de Clavijo

Upon returning to Spain, in a month, Clavijo was given an audience by the king with the report on his mission to a court of Temur. After the death of Enrico III, Clavijo deviated from state affairs and was involved in the construction of a family crypt in a monastery of St. Francis in Madrid. He was also buried there in 1412, the year of his birth is unknown.

The work of Clavijo was created for half-centuries prior to the beginning of book-printing in Spain, therefore the first issuing was carried out in his country only in 1582. It was issued by Seville Argote de Molina, having named a travelling notes of Clavijo "History of Great Tamerlane". Almost two centuries later, (1779) the collection of the Spanish chronicles was issued, in which the third volume of "Diary" was included as well. In three years time, it was issued again as a separate edition. In 1859 the composition of the Spanish ambassador was translated in England and published in London (in 1928 second edition was published here).

In the beginning, in Spain, publishing of Clavijo's composition was undertaken with a particular purpose - to show foresight of the Spanish kings policy, establishing diplomatic relations with countries of East, with Samarkand. But broad interest to information, contained in it, about unknown, mysterious lands, encyclopaedic learning and at the same time alive, figurative language of the author, confident manner of stating events have transformed "Diary" into one of the bright monuments not only of Spanish, but also the world prose. Along with the compositions of Marco Polo, Afanasiy Nikitin, Barbaro, Cantorini, "The Diary of traveling to Samarkand to the court of Temur" by Rui Gonsalez de Clavijo was included in the gold fund of the common to all mankind culture.

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