The Basis of Legitimacy of Shahrokh Timurid Government

The power of the government is legitimized by two characteristics: one is that the rulers know they have the right to rule, and the other is that those in power recognize this right. Governments, therefore, have to justify their rule both theoretically and practically. And Shahrukh - who had dominated the Timurid Empire for nearly half a century (850-807 AH) and asserted his supremacy over the Ottomans and sultans of Delhi, Bengal and Malawi in India - as every ruler tried to legitimize his sovereignty and justified the exercise of its political power. In this descriptive-analytical paper, in addition to historical sources, Shahrokh’s letters to the Indian and Khatta kings and the efforts of Muhammad Ebn Nurbakhsh -as a government claimant- to challenge Shahrokh’s legitimacy are also addressed. In response to the question of what led to Shahrokh’s efforts to gain legitimacy during his reign, it was proved that in that period, the concept of the caliphate merged with the concept of Islamic monarchy and a new political philosophy to legitimize the government and justify it was formed. It turns out that it is very important to understand the history of the legitimacy of government in Iran and the Islamic world.