How did Ulugh Beg make Samarkand a center of scientific learning?

Ulugh Beg transformed Samarkand into a prominent center of scientific learning primarily through his deep commitment to intellectual pursuits and his patronage of astronomy.

Rather than focusing on military or political expansion, he dedicated his rule to the arts and sciences. His most significant contribution to the scientific landscape was the construction of a major observatory in Samarkand, which he began in 1428.1

Through this facility, Ulugh Beg conducted rigorous astronomical observations that allowed him to identify and correct inaccuracies in the long-standing computations of the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy. By fostering an environment where empirical study and scholarly inquiry were prioritized, he established the city as a vital hub for Muslim culture and scientific advancement during the Timurid period.1