Monument to Ulugh Beg (Riga)

Discovered: 2004
Sculptor: Rushhan (Jalaldalin) Myrthiev (Uzbekistan)
Located: Kronvalda Park
Notes: Tashkent City Gift to Riga City

The ruler of vast swathes of Central Asia including parts of present-day Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and grandson of the (in)famous Timur (or Tamerlane), Ulugh Beg (1394 – 1449) was also a famous mathematician and astronomer in his day. In fact, he built the Islamic world’s largest observatory in Samarkand. Today you can take a gander at his fierce, yet learned visage on the left bank of the Riga canal across the street from the Ausekļa iela tram stop on Kronvalda bulvāris. The bronze statue on a red granite pedestal was a gift from the Embassy of Uzbekistan.

Mīrzā Muhammad Tāraghay bin Shāhrukh, better known as Ulugh Beg (الغ‌ بیگ) (22 March 1394 – 27 October 1449), was a Timurid sultan, as well as an astronomer and mathematician.

Ulugh Beg was notable for his work in astronomy-related mathematics, such as trigonometry and spherical geometry, as well as his general interests in the arts and intellectual activities. It is thought that he spoke five languages: Arabic, Persian, Turkic, Mongolian, and a small amount of Chinese. During his rule (first as a governor, then outright) the Timurid Empire achieved its cultural peak through Ulugh Beg's attention and patronage. Samarkand was captured and given to Ulugh Beg by his father Shah Rukh.

He built the great Ulugh Beg Observatory in Samarkand between 1424 and 1429. It was considered by scholars to have been one of the finest observatories in the Islamic world at the time and the largest in Central Asia. Ulugh Beg was subsequently recognized as the most important observational astronomer from the 15th century by many scholars. He also built the Ulugh Beg Madrasah (1417–1420) in Samarkand and Bukhara, transforming the cities into cultural centers of learning in Central Asia.

However, Ulugh Beg's scientific expertise was not matched by his skills in governance. During his short reign, he failed to establish his power and authority. As a result, other rulers, including his family, took advantage of his lack of control and he was subsequently overthrown and assassinated.
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