Ulugh Beg: The Legendary Muslim Astronomer and Mathematician

Ulugh Beg was a prominent figure in the fields of mathematics (especially those relating to astronomy; his contributions include trigonometry and spherical geometry) and the arts and philosophy. He was supposed to speak five languages: Arabic, Persian, Turkic, Mongolian, and a little Chinese. Ulugh Beg's support helped the Timurid Empire reach its cultural apex during his governorship and reign. Ulugh Beg's father, Shah Rukh, seized Samarkand and gave it to him.

From 1424 to 1429, he constructed the impressive Ulugh Beg Observatory in Samarkand. Scholars believed it to have been the biggest observatory in Central Asia and one of the best in the Islamic world at the time. After that, many scholars agreed that Ulugh Beg was the most important observer of the sky in the 15th century. He constructed the Ulugh Beg Madrasah in Samarkand and Bukhara (1417–1420) to make them Central Asian cultural hubs.

During his observations, he identified many inaccuracies in the estimates of the 2nd-century Alexandrian astronomer Ptolemy, whose numbers were still employed. He and his associates compiled a list of stars based on observations with a big quadrant.

Ulugh Beg is linked with the Zij-i Sultani, a Persian astronomy guidebook notable for the precision with which its tables were produced. It is divided into four chapters: chronology, trigonometry and spherical astronomy, planetary locations, and astrology.

Ulugh Beg developed trigonometric tables of sine and tangent values that were accurate to at least eight decimal places in mathematics. Ulugh Beg was a pupil and co-worker of the famous mathematician Ali Qushji.

Remembering that Ulugh Beg worked almost two centuries before the telescope enhances our appreciation of his work. His work ultimately gained recognition in Europe, with the publishing of his writings in Latin in London in 1650, followed by the first of numerous European editions of his star tables.

Nevertheless, Ulugh Beg's governing abilities did not equal his scientific competence. Throughout his brief reign, he was unable to establish his authority and influence. Due to his lack of authority, other rulers, including his family, overthrew and assassinated him.

Read more and Support us on: @The Inside History