Hundred Great Muslims

460 Hundred Grea{ Muslims
Timur knew that it was a struggle for life and death. His march of 1.800
miles covered in 18 weeks had ended. Both the armies camped facing each other.
Timur ordered his exhausted army to cook food and take rest which surprised
his opponent.
Next morning. Timur divided his army into seven divisions. commanded
by his sons and seasoned Generals. He stood behind Centre with his war veterans
and Generals. The first charge was led by grey haired Saifuddin. Timur ordered
his Centre forward in support of his son Miran Shah. They smashed their way
into Toktamish's flanks. which gave way under the impact of heavy cavalry.
Toktamish fled and with his disappearance the great horned standard of the
Horde also fell.
Timur pursued the defeated Horde. which scattered all round. leaving
behind enough spoils for Timur's men. Toktamish fled to the cold Northern
forest. His power was broken for ever. Tlmur stormed Serai and Astara Khan
on the Volga. thus avengingToktamish burning of Bukhara.
Timur marched along the river Don and reached near Moscowuninterrupted.
The Russian Grand Prince took to field with little hope. "In procession". writes
Harold Lamb, "the image of the Virgin was drawn back to Moscow. between
lines of kneeling people who cried out as it passed: Mother of god saved Russia.
And to this the Russians attribute their deliverance. No one knows why"?
Timur turned back without capturing Moscow which lay at his feet. A number
of historians persist that he took Moscow.
On his return. he stormed the rock nests of the warlike Georgians who
disputed his path with their exceptional courage. Timur called upon his men
to accomplish a task that seemed beyond human power. A mountain clan had
withdrawn to a place which seemed to be impregnable. surrounded by high
and steep mountain cliffs. Even arrows could not reach there. The Tatars managed
to climb this "impassable place". through ropes and the Georgians had to
surrender the insurmountable citadel of Takrit, built on a high rock. facing
Tigris, which was taken.
Now Timur was the master of a vast dominion extending both in Europe
and Asia. "For 2.200 miles. the great Khurasan road, ran through his lands".
Tlrnur's next target was Persia. Here he came down in 1386 with a large
army to settle the differences among his satellite ruling Muzaffar princes. One
\of these, Mansoor, had slain certain Tatar chieftains. This led to the sack of
Isfahan by the Tatars, All the Muzaffar princes surrendered to Timur except
~ansoor who fled 10 mountains. Shiraz also capitulated and here Timur had
his memorable meeting with the famous Persian Poet. Hafiz of Shiraz, whom
the conqueror loaded with presents.
During the Spring of J399. Timur invaded India Ilia Khyber Pass. where