Abu Ali Ibn Sino (Avicenna)
Abu Ali Ibn-Sino was born in 980 near Bukhara into a family of financial state officials. From the start he showed exceptional aptitude and interest in science and was mainly self taught on the basis of Aristotle's Metaphysic, in the Arabic translation by Al Farabis. Underthe patronage of the Emir of Bukhara, he focused on medicine and philosophy. With his work "Kitab Ash Shifa", the "book of healing", he instigated a whole new epoch in the history of oriental philosophy.

However, it is through his classic, the consolidated work on medicine that he has become a historic figure, the "Kitab al Kanon fi-t-Tib, the "canon of medical science". The translation of these 5 volumes into Latin was accomplished in the 15th cc.

Many editions followed, the canon became one of the most popular works on medicine in the West and had a major impact on the development of this particular science and the state of medicine such as it is today. Of course, many legends rank around Ibn Sino's mystical know-how, one claiming that he had ordered his apprentice to administer ampules of a certain liquid for 40 days after his passing away. After the 39th ampule, Ibn Sino's cheeks are said to have regained a rosy glow and his hair their usual deep black color, whereupon the apprentice, trembling and agitated, promptly dropped the very last ampule where it smashed into 1000 pieces.

Amir Timur
Born in Shahrisabz in 1336, Amir Ternur is considered to be one of history's greatest conquerors with an empire spanning from China and Delhi to the Ottoman Epire.

The son of a chief, Temur already as a young boy displaied exceptionTal intellectual prowess and he soon made a mark as a brilliant military tactician. He became the ruler of Mavaraunnahr in 1370, having establishing his capital at Samarkand. Under his consolidation and reign. The Great Silk Road flourished, he controlled the trade routes which linked East and West. The European monarchs establish diplomatic relations with Temur the Great, sent envoys and gifts. Their written accounts of the journey provided an insight into the life at his court. As Amir Temur set out on his China campaign, he fell ill by the shores of Syrdaria and died on February 1405. His body was burried in the Mausoleum Gur E Mir. Amir Temur also initiated the construction of buildings, still today among the grandest and most renowned on earth. The best artisans were brought to Samarkand for the construction of Registan, Shah I Zinda, Bibi Khanum, Gur E Mir. An inscription he ordered says it all " If you want to know about us, look at our buildings."
Under his lead, the technique of dome construction was improved, the use of colour in architecture reached a zenit with brilliantly coloured tiles and panels for architectural decorations.

Ulugbek
Amir Temur's grandson became ruler of Mavarannahr after his father passed away. Ulug Bek reigned from 1394-1449 but his interest was not so much political as scientific, which eventually led to his assassination. He is considered the most prominent astronomer and mathematician of the fifteenth century.

Under Ulug Bek, Samarkand became one of the world center of science. In 1424 Ulug'bek built a Madrassa, where astronomy was taught. The world's largest sextant in a three storey observatory was built. Beautifully restored, the remains and the adjacent museum give you a large scale impression of the important scientific contribution under Ulugbek.

He himself comprised a new catalogue of stars, correcting positions of stars observed by Ptolemaeus. He calculated the year at 365 days 5 hours 49 minutes 15 seconds. The Baburname describes Samarkand then as follows: "Samarkand is an amazingly beautiful town writes Babur." It has a feature common to small towns, each type of trade is carried out in its own part of town and workshops are set apart from trade and commerce. Wonderful. Here are the finest pastry shops and coffee houses, there excellent eating houses. High quality paper is produced in Samarkand. One manufacture exports crimson velvet all over the world... Samarkand produces delicious and abundant fruit such as grapes, melons, pomegranates.

Zakhriddin Muhammad Babur
Zakhriddin Muhammad Babur was born on February 14, 1483 in Andijan, into a time of fierce power struggles in Central Asia and Khorasan among the heirs of Amir Temur.

The empire was dissolved and divided up among those left behind, relatives, brothers, governors. Timur's son, Babur's father, obtained the wider Ferghana valley and with his passing away, when Babur was but 12 years old, the young boy became ruler of Ferghana Ulus.

Having conquered India, Babur is best known as the founder of the Moghul Dynasty who reigned for over 300 years. Architecture, The Arts, Literary works, the most exquisite Miniature Paintings, precious handwoven Textiles reached a zenit under his reign. In his biography, the BABURNAME comprising historic and literary heritage not only of Moghul India but of Maverannahr, Khorazan, Iran at the end of the 15th cc, beginning of the 16th cc he he has left for posterity a detailed account and in-depth analysis of the many cultures that influenced the area, historical, economic and sociologic facts, political constellations, geographic descriptions, customs and traditions, information on the tribes and peoples that made this region of the world so unique. Indispensable reading for those interested in Central Asia and available in many different editions through your bookstore.