Ulugh Beg vs Zhu Qizhen

Ulugh Beg gathered scholars like Al-Kashi and Qadi Zada al-Rumi at his court in Samarkand. He funded the study of mathematics, trigonometry, and astronomy, making Samarkand a leading scientific center of the 15th century.

Ulugh Beg built a large observatory in Samarkand, equipped with a 40-meter sextant. He used it to compile the Zij-i Sultani, a star catalog of over 1,000 stars, which was the most accurate in the world for 250 years.

Ulugh Beg published the Zij-i Sultani, a star catalog and astronomical tables. It corrected errors in Ptolemy's Almagest and provided accurate positions of stars and planets, influencing later astronomers like Copernicus and Tycho Brahe.

Upon the death of his father Shah Rukh, Ulugh Beg became the ruler of the Timurid Empire, based in Samarkand. His reign was short and marked by conflict with his nephew Abd al-Latif and other rivals.

Ulugh Beg was defeated in battle by his son Abd al-Latif, who had rebelled against him. He was captured and executed on Abd al-Latif's orders, ending his reign. His death marked the decline of the Timurid Empire.

Zhu Qizhen ascended the Ming throne as the Zhengtong Emperor at age eight, following the death of his father, the Xuande Emperor. A regency council led by the Grand Empress Dowager and senior officials governed until he came of age.

The Zhengtong Emperor personally led a poorly planned campaign against the Oirat Mongols under Esen Taishi. At the Battle of Tumu Fortress, the Ming army was annihilated, and the emperor was captured, becoming a prisoner of the Oirats for nearly a year.

The Tianshun Emperor abolished the Directorate of Ceremonial, the powerful eunuch agency that had dominated court politics under his earlier reign. This move aimed to reduce eunuch influence, though it was partially reversed later.

After being released in 1450 and placed under house arrest by his brother, the Jingtai Emperor, Zhu Qizhen staged a coup in 1457 with the help of loyalist officials. He reclaimed the throne as the Tianshun Emperor, executing his brother's supporters.

After his restoration, the Tianshun Emperor ordered the execution of Yu Qian, the minister who had defended Beijing during the Tumu Crisis and supported the Jingtai Emperor. This act removed a key statesman and deepened political divisions.

The Tianshun Emperor died after a second reign of seven years. His capture and restoration had weakened the Ming monarchy, leading to increased factionalism and setting a precedent for eunuch influence that plagued later reigns.