Tamerlane's Captive Goldsmiths and the Samarkand Treasure

In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna explore a lesser-known aspect of Tamerlane's empire: the captive goldsmiths and silversmiths he deported from conquered cities like Damascus, Tabriz, and Delhi to Samarkand. These artisans didn't just create luxury goods—they minted the coinage that financed Tamerlane's campaigns, crafted the ceremonial armor and jewelry that projected his power, and developed new metalworking techniques that spread across Central Asia. Lucas explains how the goldsmiths were organized into state workshops (kar-khanas), their role in producing the silver tanka and gold dinar that unified Tamerlane's realm, and how their work influenced Timurid art. The conversation also touches on the famous jade cup of Tamerlane—now in the British Museum—and the controversy over its origins. Tune in for a deep dive into the glittering, bloody world of Timurid metallurgy. #Tamerlane #Timurid #Samarkand #Goldsmiths #Deportation #CentralAsia #Coinage #Tanka #Dinar #KarKhana #Damascus #Tabriz #Delhi #JadeCup #BritishMuseum #History #FexingoHistory #Metallurgy Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo