New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Bijan and Houman Grapple in the Saddle
Book C3 · The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs

Bijan and Houman Grapple in the Saddle

From C3.14, Houman and Bijan Meet in Combat. It illustrates C3.14.44–49:

  • C3.14.44
    They took up gorzes, struck with all their might,And passed all bounds of fury in the fight.
  • C3.14.45
    Then both agreed to put their strength to test,And prove whose arm was mightiest and best.
  • C3.14.46
    Each sought to win the honor of the deed:To drag his rival from the lofty steed.
  • C3.14.47
    Whoever gripped the belt with greater strengthWould fling his rival down, disgraced, full length.
  • C3.14.48
    The stirrup-leathers snapped beneath the strain,So fiercely did they grapple on the plain.
  • C3.14.49
    Yet neither lost his seat, for all their force;No man could throw the other from his horse.

In the picture

BijanHouman
Read it in the poemIn the Illustrated PoemAll panels of Book C3
Previous · C3.13Giv Gives Bijan Siavash's JowshanNext · C3.15Bijan Heaves Houman Aloft

Woodcut panels, identity sheets and banners © 2026 New Naqqali LLC, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0: share and adapt them for non-commercial use, with credit to New Naqqali. Rights & permissions.