Origins & Early Life

Ghiyāth al-Dīn Jamshīd Masʿūd al-Kāshī (or al-Kāshānī) (Persian: غیاث‌الدین جمشید کاشانی Ghiyās-ud-dīn Jamshīd Kāshānī; c. 1380 – 22 June 1429) was a Persian astronomer and mathematician during the reign of Tamerlane. Much of al-Kāshī's work was not brought to Europe and still, even the extant work, remains unpublished in any form. Al-Kashi was born in 1380, in Kashan, in central Iran, to a Persian family.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

This region was controlled by Tamerlane, better known as Timur. The situation changed for the better when Timur died in 1405, and his son, Shah Rokh, ascended into power. Shah Rokh and his wife, Goharshad, a Turkish princess, were very interested in the sciences, and they encouraged their court to study the various fields in great depth. Consequently, the period of their power became one of many scholarly accomplishments. This was the perfect environment for al-Kashi to begin his career as one of the world's greatest mathematicians.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Eight years after he came into power in 1409, their son, Ulugh Beg, founded an institute in Samarkand which soon became a prominent university. Students from all over the Middle East and beyond, flocked to this academy in the capital city...

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