Tokhtamysh, rapidly forgetting his obligations and gratitude to his mentor Timur, who had taken over the former Golden Horde territory of Urganj in his efforts to aid his protégé’s enthronement, vows to reincorporate the territory.

Upon hearing that Timur is campaigning in the Caucasus, Tokhtamysh decides upon a furtive conquest of Timur’s capital, Samarkand.

Tokhtamysh advances his forces into Transoxiania in 1385, but Timur, learning of his intentions, races back to Samarkand and, arriving earlier Tokhtamysh, then attacks him.

Regarding Timur’s army as the vanguard of a larger force, Tokhtamysh withdraws.