Siege of Isfahan (1387)
Part of Timur's Persian campaigns
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To annex the Muzaffarid kingdom, Timur would have to capture its two main cities: Isfahan and Shiraz. In 1387, when Timur arrived with his army at Isfahan, it immediately surrendered, and he treated it with relative mercy, as he normally did with cities that surrendered.
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Siege
Soon after, Isfahan revolted against Timur’s taxes by killing the tax collectors and some of his soldiers. Timur laid siege to the city and recaptured it with little effort.
Massacre of citizens
After restoring his control over the city, he ordered the massacre of the citizens who had resisted; the death toll has been estimated between 70,000 – 200,000.
An eyewitness counted more than 28 towers constructed of about 1,500 heads each. This has been described as a “systematic use of terror against towns…an integral element of Tamerlane’s strategic method,” which he viewed as preventing bloodshed by discouraging resistance. His massacres were selective, sparing those who were artistic and educated. This would later influence the next great Iranian conqueror, Nader Shah.
Aftermath
After the massacre, Isfahan remained loyal to Timur, and he then went on to capture Shiraz. Unlike the events following the Siege of Herat, Timur did not destroy any buildings or architecture, allowing the city to retain its importance and influence in Persia.