--- title: Map of Timur’s Empire and Campaigns, 1370–1405: The rise and the expansion of Tamerlane across Eurasia author: Simeon Netchev source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17689/map-of-timurs-empire-and-campaigns-1370-1405/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) updated: 2026-08-01 --- # Map of Timur’s Empire and Campaigns, 1370–1405: The rise and the expansion of Tamerlane across Eurasia _Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_ ## Image File [![Map of Timur’s Empire and Campaigns, 1370–1405: The rise and the expansion of Tamerlane across Eurasia](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17689.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17689.png) ## Image Caption The Timurid [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) under [Timur](https://www.worldhistory.org/Timur/) (reign 1370–1405) emerged from the fragmented political world of the western [Chagatai Khanate](https://www.worldhistory.org/Chagatai_Khanate/) in Central Asia. Born near Kesh in 1336, Timur established control over Transoxiana in 1370 and made Samarkand the ceremonial and political centre of his expanding realm. Although he was not a direct descendant of Chinggis Khan, he reinforced his legitimacy through marriage into the Chagatai royal house and adopted the title *Gürgān*, meaning “royal son-in-[law](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/law/).” His regime combined Turco-[Mongol](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mongol_Empire/) military and dynastic traditions with Persian administrative and court [culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/). Through successive campaigns, Timur conquered or subordinated much of Central Asia and Iran and projected military power into the Caucasus, the [Golden Horde](https://www.worldhistory.org/Golden_Horde/), northern [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/), Mamluk [Syria](https://www.worldhistory.org/syria/), Iraq, and Ottoman [Anatolia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/). Major victories over Tokhtamysh at the Kondurcha River (1391) and Terek River (1395), the Delhi Sultanate at Delhi (1398), and Bayezid I at Ankara (1402) weakened several of Eurasia’s leading states. The scale of Timur’s campaigns should not, however, be confused with the territorial extent of stable Timurid administration. Direct government was strongest in Transoxiana, Khorasan, and much of Iran, while authority in peripheral regions often depended on tributary rulers, temporary submission, military intimidation, or short-lived occupation. Timur used [conquest](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) both to eliminate political rivals and to redirect skilled workers, resources, and artistic expertise toward imperial centres such as Samarkand. Because political cohesion remained closely tied to his personal authority and military household, his [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) at Otrar in 1405, during preparations for an invasion of Ming [China](https://www.worldhistory.org/china/), was followed by succession struggles and the division of the empire among Timurid princes. #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Netchev, S. (2026, August 01). Map of Timur’s Empire and Campaigns, 1370–1405: The rise and the expansion of Tamerlane across Eurasia. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Netchev, Simeon. "Map of Timur’s Empire and Campaigns, 1370–1405: The rise and the expansion of Tamerlane across Eurasia." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 01, 2026. . ### MLA Netchev, Simeon. "Map of Timur’s Empire and Campaigns, 1370–1405: The rise and the expansion of Tamerlane across Eurasia." *World History Encyclopedia*, 01 Aug 2026, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 01 August 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.