How to Pronounce Shah Rukh (in Persian & English)

Meaning and Context

Shah Rukh, born in 1377 and ruling from 1405 until his death in 1447, was the fourth son of the empire's founder, Timur (Tamerlane), and emerged as the most influential Timurid ruler of the 15th century following his father's death. His reign is distinguished by a deliberate shift from relentless military conquest to a period of profound cultural consolidation and administrative stability, centered in the illustrious capital of Herat (in modern-day Afghanistan). As a patron of the Timurid Renaissance, Shah Rukh, alongside his visionary wife Goharshad, commissioned magnificent architectural projects like the Goharshad Mosque in Mashhad and fostered an unparalleled environment for Persian miniature painting, historiography, and astronomy. His rule solidified the Timurid Empire's legacy not as a brief nomadic conquest but as a cornerstone of Persianate culture and Islamic art, influencing subsequent empires like the Safavids and Mughals. His diplomatic correspondence with the Ming Dynasty of China further underscores his stature as a major figure in 15th-century Eurasian politics and trade networks.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The name "Shah Rukh" is of Persian origin and presents several common transliteration variations and errors in English texts. The most accurate transliteration from Persian is "Shāh Rukh" or "Shāhrokh," often seen as "Shahrokh" in modern contexts, which merges the two words. Frequent misspellings and typos include "Shahrukh," "Shah Ruk," or "Shah Ruck," often arising from phonetic guesses or confusion with the modern Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan. The name itself means "kingly face" or "royal countenance" (from Shāh meaning king and Rukh meaning face or cheek). In historical scholarship, one may also encounter the alternative spelling "Shāhrukh," and it is crucial to distinguish the 15th-century Timurid monarch from his famous namesake in popular culture to avoid contextual errors in research and writing.

Example Sentences

Following the death of Timur, Shah Rukh successfully consolidated power and moved the empire's cultural heart to Herat, where he established a brilliant court.

Historians often credit Shah Rukh's peaceful reign with transforming the Timurid Empire into a beacon of artistic and intellectual achievement.

The patronage of Shah Rukh and Queen Goharshad led to the construction of architectural masterpieces that still stand as testaments to Timurid grandeur.

Despite facing several rebellions, notably from his own sons, Shah Rukh maintained the empire's cohesion for over four decades through adept administration.

Diplomatic envoys from the court of Shah Rukh regularly traveled along the Silk Road to China, strengthening Timurid-Ming relations.

The legacy of Shah Rukh is primarily cultural, marking a golden age of Persian manuscript production and scientific inquiry.

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