MIRZO ULUGBEK'S ASTRONOMICAL AND MATHEMATICAL LEGACY: ITS ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT IN CENTRAL ASIA

Mirzo Ulugbek (1394–1449) was a prominent scholar, mathematician, astronomer, and statesman of Central Asia in the 14th–15th centuries. His activities combined scientific research with administrative responsibilities, creating favorable conditions for the development of science and education in the region. The most significant achievements of Ulugbek include the construction of the Samarkand Observatory (1428–1429) and the compilation of the star catalog Zij-i-Sultani, containing over 1,000 stars with precise coordinates. This catalog had a profound impact on the development of astronomy in Central Asia and was used by both Eastern and European scholars for several centuries. In addition to astronomy, Ulugbek contributed to mathematics, geometry, and trigonometry, developing methods for accurate calculations and observations. His approach to organizing scientific work, integrating an observatory, educational institutions, and libraries, became a model for future academic centers. This article analyzes the life, scientific activity, and educational legacy of Mirzo Ulugbek, emphasizing his contribution to the formation of scientific traditions in Central Asia and his influence on global science.