New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Afrasiab Watches His City Burn

Afrasiab Watches His City Burn

From C4.22, Afrasiab Flees from Gang-Behesht. It illustrates C4.22.1–10:

  • C4.22.1
    Afrasiab went weeping to his hall,His heart brimmed full with grief at Gang’s great fall.
  • C4.22.2
    He climbed his palace wall, and there could see:Two-thirds lay dead; the rest had turned to flee.
  • C4.22.3
    The horsemen cried, the chieftains shouted loud,And elephant tabiras shook the crowd.
  • C4.22.4
    They drove the elephants across the throng;Backs struck the earth as beasts were urged along.
  • C4.22.5
    The city filled with smoke and cries of woe;He watched the fire and plunder spread below.
  • C4.22.6
    So does this passing world divide its share:One heart knows joy, another dark despair.
  • C4.22.7
    Afrasiab saw terror drawing near,And fortune’s overthrow lay stark and clear.
  • C4.22.8
    No Jahan, brother, land, or royal state;No crown, throne, belt remained to mark him great.
  • C4.22.9
    “How wantonly has heaven dealt this blow;My heart is seared with sorrow and with woe.
  • C4.22.10
    My eyes have seen such anguish here that INow think it little to be slain and die.”

In the picture

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.