Why Timur Attacked Sultan Masoor Muzaffar Empire Of Fars Due To Lemon Demand
Can a few lemons be the reason for an attack on a country and thousands of deaths? Of course it may seem strange but lemons were the reason for Taimur Lang’s attack on Persia (Iran). The Sultan Mansoor Muzaffari there had not only refused to send these to Taimur but had also written to him that his court was not a vegetable shop. He is the king of Persia. He neither sells perfume nor sherbet. The Sultan had written to Taimur that even your great grandfather Genghis Khan could not look at Persia. You are like an ant compared to him. Then what happened next? Read from “Aapbeeti-Taimur Lang”.
According to Timur Lang, his health deteriorated during his journey to Khorasan. Hakim attributed this to inability to tolerate the heat. Advised that use of Persian lemons could provide relief. Persian lemons were not available in Khorasan. Taimur wrote a letter to Persian Sultan Mansoor Muzaffari that his doctor had advised to use Persian lemon water for the treatment of the disease. Taimur expressed hope that the Sultan would send them as soon as possible through some official. He assured that he would consider it his duty to repay this kindness and friendship.
Persian court is not a vegetable shop
Sultan Mansoor Muzaffari considered this letter of Taimur as an insult. He felt that Taimur was challenging the status of the king of Persia through this simple demand. The Sultan wrote in the reply letter, “My court is not a shop selling vegetables. I neither sell perfume nor sherbet. I am the king of Persia. You are proud of being the child of Genghis. Perhaps that is why you have looked at me with contempt. But remember that even your great grandfather Genghis Khan could not even try to raise his eyes on Persia. Your status is not even equal to that of an ant in comparison to him.” The Sultan did not stop at this. I further added that even if I were a perfume or lemon seller, I would not have sent them. So that you die without treatment and the race of Genghis gets destroyed.
Lemon became the cause of war between Taimur and Sultan.
Now blood will flow instead of lemonade
Now Taimur was more determined to take revenge from Sultan Mansur than to cure his illness. He wanted to show him whose race would be destroyed? Taimur started preparations for an attack on Persia as soon as possible. His first encounter with the tribesmen was on the inaccessible mountain road of Kirmanshah. He had to lose 127 of his soldiers in the bloody conflict. But he was victorious. The enemies blocking the way were either killed or fled. Taimur was happy to see necks being cut and blood flowing. He wrote, “Now I will not be able to see the fountains of blood rising from the severed necks. I will not be able to hear their screams. I wonder why drunkards drown themselves in joy by drinking liquor? Why do they not fight with swords? Where is the joy in shedding blood? Where is the joy in shedding blood? Alcohol makes one useless. Shedding blood creates enthusiasm.”
The Sultan challenged again
On the way, Taimur’s health deteriorated once again. He had to stay in the city of Cazavan for six weeks. Sultan Mansoor was getting news of Taimur’s advance towards Persia. He was also making efforts to stop him through tribal fighters. But Taimur’s advance continued. Meanwhile, the Sultan sent another letter to Taimur. This time calling him Palid (evil spirit) and a wretched Uzbek, he wrote that Persia is a country of sharp clawed lions. Jackals like you will not work there. If you want to know what happened to those who cast an evil eye on this country, then look at the bones scattered on different roads of Persia. This belongs to those enemies. Rest assured, you will also end up like this. On one hand, Taimur was growing inside, while on the other hand, the Sultan was once again reminding him of his inferiority and his superior caste through a letter.
The Sultan was scared after seeing Taimur’s anger in the battlefield.
Sultan reached Masjid instead of battlefield
On reaching Patila, Taimur came to know that it would be very difficult for his army to penetrate the strong fort there. Taimur hoped that now he would face Sultan Mansur in battle. But instead of taking a position from the fort, Mansoor took the route of Masjid Atiq. It was famous about this mosque that there the wish of the hand raised for prayer is immediately accepted.
The Sultan was also sitting here requesting Allah that Taimur should be in his hands and he should pull out his tongue with his hands. Take out the eyes and separate the head from the body. But nothing like this was possible. The next day both the armies faced each other. The Sultan’s generals were ineffective in terms of strategy. There were also questions about his loyalty. The Sultan’s soldiers also proved to be very weak compared to Taimur.
Sultan under umbrella to protect himself from the sun during battle
When Taimur reached in front of Sultan Shah Mansoor Muzaffari, he expected that his soldiers would give a tough fight. But those soldiers immediately raised their hands. A maid kept pointing an umbrella at him. It was spring season. But the delicate king of Persia could not tolerate the sunshine even in this pleasant weather. Taimur riding on the horse immediately pulled out the Sultan’s sword. On being told that he was Taimur, the Sultan was stunned.
Taimur growled at him and said that you coward, I did not ask for gold coins or wealth from you. Was asked to send some lemons for treatment. But you not only rejected my demand for a king but also insulted me and my ancestors by repeatedly writing letters. Now get ready for the consequences. Now the Sultan was pleading. On the other hand, Taimur’s anger was increasing further.
It is necessary to kill snakes with snakes.
Sultan Shah Mansoor Muzaffari and eleven princes were standing in chains on a high platform in a large field in Shiraz. Two executioners with drawn swords were waiting for orders. Then Taimur’s voice echoed, “People of Shiraz! Know that some time ago Taimur fell ill in Gorakani Khorasan. The royal doctor advised to use Persian lemons for treatment. I wrote a friendly letter to the Persian king asking him to send lemons. In response, he insulted me.”
After this, Munadi narrated that letter to the people in a babuland voice. Taimur said, I have come here only to avenge this insult. Now see its end. The Sultan pleaded again. But Taimur said that your words did not let me sleep as soon as I put my head on the pillow. Then the Sultan requested that he be punished for his actions. But what is the fault of the princes, spare them. Taimur said that when a snake is killed, the snakes should not be spared. As soon as the signal was received, the executioners started their work.
Also read: How many attacks were made on the Red Fort of the Mughals, what was looted? Came into limelight due to Delhi blast