Timur Malik

Timur Malik (Persian: تیمور ملک) was a statesman of the Khwarazmian Empire, who served as the governor of Khujand in the region of Transoxiana. He is known for his valiant though ultimately unsuccessful defense of Khujand in 1219-1220 during the Mongol invasions. He has been described in a historical novel authored by a famous Urdu novelist Nasim Hejazi, the novel is titled Akhri Chattan (آخری چٹان).

Statue of Timur Malik in Khujand, Tajikistan.

Biography

Timur Malik was sometime before the Mongol invasions appointed as the governor of Khujand, a city famous for its vineyards and gardens, for its trade, and for the bold citizens.^[1] The city also had a citadel, and when the Mongols arrived, the citizens withdrew behind its walls.

He died in 1220 defending the city against the Mongols.