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LIVES OP THE MOGHUL EMPERORS. 
with the exception of an Imaun, who was made ac- 
quainted with his sentiments on matters of faith. 
Full of confidence in the mercy and justice of God, he 
expired at the age of sixty-nine years, confessing the 
unity of one God.” 
The character of this celebrated conqueror has been 
variously coloured, according to the bias of those who 
have recorded the great and stirring, but too fre- 
quently terrible, events of his life. 
Timur is said to have been distinguished for 
his sincere piety, great veneration for religion, strict 
justice, and unbounded liberality ; but it would 
be a difficult matter to find these virtues realised in 
the actions of his life, which was remarkable for hy- 
pocrisy, cruelty, and oppression. His religion ap- 
pears to have been a weak and unmanly superstition, 
his piety fanaticism, his “ strict justice and un- 
bounded liberality” mere effects of state policy — for he 
was neither just nor liberal beyond the boundaries 
of his own dominions. His ferocious massacres, his 
wanton devastations of countries and demolition of 
cities, are sufficient to confirm the conclusion that he 
was really neither pious, liberal, nor just. That he 
was a man of commanding genius, consummate bra- 
very, possessing admirable clearness of judgment, and 
almost infallible accuracy of perception, is evident to 
a demonstration. He spent nine years in foreign 
countries, to advance himself in the knowledge neces- 
sary for dominion, where the great energy of his mind 
was displayed in councils and assemblies, and his un- 
daunted courage in personal combats and pitched 
battles ; nevertheless, with all his great qualities, it is 
