Timur declares himself sovereign at Balkh

1370

After defeating his brother-in-law Husayn at Balkh, the Barlas chieftain had himself proclaimed sovereign emir, wielding power in the name of a puppet Chagatayid khan. He wore Genghisid legitimacy as camouflage over his personal conquests, never claiming the title of khan himself since he lacked Chinggisid blood. The Timurid empire had officially begun.