| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 350,000[citation needed] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Afghanistan | 145,000[citation needed] |
 Iran | 196,000[citation needed] |
| Languages | |
| Aimaq dialectofDari Persian, and Pashto | |
| Religion | |
| Sunni Islam in Afghanistan Shia Islam in Iran | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Hazaras, Iranian peoples | |
The Timuri, or Taimuri (Persian: تیموری) are a sub-tribe of the Aimaq peopleofAfghanistan and Iran, one of the major Aimaq tribes, which also include Jamshidi, Aimaq Hazara, Firozkohi, and Taymani.[1][2] The Timuri originated in western Badghis Province. They mostly speak the Aimaq dialectofPersian, but some members of the tribe in Baghlan Province have adopted Pashto.[3]
The Timuri were once the largest and most powerful of the Aimaqs. They are believed to be descendants of Timur. Nowadays, they live in Afghanistan and Iran. In Iran, they live in the former Khorasan Province and around Mashhad. In Afghanistan, their traditional nomadic homeland is Badghis Province, while others are settled in oases near Herat and Shindand in western Afghanistan and near Ghazni in central Afghanistan. There is also a small group of Pashtunised pastoralist Timuri in Baghlan Province in northeastern Afghanistan.[3]
Johnathan Lee notes that in 19th century accords, the Taimuri were often confused with the Taimani, but as the Taimuri were generally a small tribe living in Persian territory, it is usually the Taimani that chroniclers intended to note.[4]
The Timuri, once the most powerful of the "lesser" Aymaq, had their original homeland in western Badghis. Besides those still living there or in Khorasan, there are settled Timuri south of Herat and near Shindand, as well as to the north of Ghazni in Shiite Hazara country. A group of Pashtunized nomadic Timuri has its winter quarters near Baghlan in northeastern Afghanistan. Some of the best qualities of "Herat Baluch" carpets are woven by Timuri in Badghis, classified by the name of the respective ṭaefa such as Kawdanī, Šērḵānī, Yaʿqūbḵānī, or Zakanī.
