Abd al-Latif Mirza
Son of Ulugh Beg and Timurid ruler of Samarkand (1449–1450): he defeated his father, consented to his execution and was himself killed six months later.
- Occupation:
- Historical figure, Politician
- Real name:
- Abd al-Latif ibn Ulugh Beg
- Nickname:
- Padar-kush
- Born:
- c. 1420 — May 8, 1450
- Birthplace:
- Samarkand
- Father:
- Mirzo Ulug'bek
- Spouse:
- Shoh Sulton oqo
Biography
Abd al-Latif was born around 1420 into the family of Ulugh Beg. He was brought up at the court of his grandfather Shah Rukh in Herat and received a scholarly education.
When Shah Rukh died in 1447, a struggle for power broke out among the Timurid princes. Abd al-Latif took part in it and afterwards governed Balkh.
He later turned against his father. In 1449 the two armies faced each other along the Amu Darya for about three months; uprisings in Bukhara and Samarkand forced Ulugh Beg to return to Samarkand. Abd al-Latif crossed the river, took Termez and Shahrisabz, and in the autumn defeated his father’s army at the village of Dimashq near Samarkand. In October 1449 he took the throne in Samarkand.
Ulugh Beg was put to death in October 1449; the sources say it was done with his son’s consent. His brother Abd al-Aziz was killed as well. For killing his father Abd al-Latif is known as “Padar-kush” (“father-killer”), and Alisher Navoi condemned the deed in verse.
His reign lasted about six months. A harsh domestic policy and military ability temporarily stopped nomad raids on Transoxiana. He wrote poetry and also took an interest in astronomy and history.
Abd al-Latif was killed on 8 May 1450 on the outskirts of Samarkand by emirs who had stayed loyal to Ulugh Beg — by one account, Baba Husayn. Power passed to Ulugh Beg’s nephew Abdullah Mirza (1450–1451).
Career
Life path
- c. 1420Birth
Born into Ulugh Beg’s family; raised at the court of his grandfather Shah Rukh in Herat.
- 1447Death of Shah Rukh
Took part in the Timurid princes’ struggle for power, then governed Balkh.
- 1449Standoff on the Amu Darya
For about three months his army and his father’s faced each other across the river.
- 1449Battle of Dimashq
In the autumn defeated Ulugh Beg’s army at the village of Dimashq near Samarkand.
- 1449Throne in Samarkand
Took the throne in October, the month Ulugh Beg was put to death.
- 1450Death
Killed on 8 May on the outskirts of Samarkand by emirs loyal to Ulugh Beg.
Legacy
Abd al-Latif is remembered chiefly for overthrowing his father Ulugh Beg and consenting to his death: it earned him the name “Padar-kush”, and Alisher Navoi condemned the act in verse. His brief reign left no lasting legacy: after him the throne of Samarkand passed to Abdullah Mirza.
Era: Timurid Transoxiana, mid-15th century- Death of Shah Rukh (1447)
- Battle of Dimashq (1449)
- Killing of Ulugh Beg (1449)
- Killing of Abd al-Latif (1450)
