The Timurid Empire was a Persianate state founded in the late 14th century by Timur, also known as Tamerlane. It emerged after Timur's conquests in Central Asia, which included parts of modern-day Iran, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan. The empire is known for its cultural achievements, particularly in architecture and the arts, with cities like Samarkand and Bukhara becoming centers of learning and culture. The empire reached its peak in the early 15th century under Timur's grandson, Ulugh Beg, who was a notable astronomer and patron of science. After Timur's death in 1405, the empire gradually declined due to internal strife and external pressures, eventually fragmenting into smaller states by the late 15th century.