New Naqqaliشاهنامه
The Struggle for the Belt
Book C8 · The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar

The Struggle for the Belt

From C8.21, Rostam Battles Esfandiyar. It illustrates C8.21.61–66:

  • C8.21.61
    They gripped a leather belt, prepared to strain,Their chargers’ breasts uplifted on the plain.
  • C8.21.62
    One end was in Esfandiyar’s strong hand;The other Rostam held to make his stand.
  • C8.21.63
    Both pulled toward themselves with all their might,Two brazen-bodied champions in the fight.
  • C8.21.64
    Each strained against the other, yet no forceCould shift one lion seated on his horse.
  • C8.21.65
    The riders drew apart; their horses’ strainBore witness to the battle and its pain.
  • C8.21.66
    Their mouths held foam with blood and dust ingrained;Their jowshans, bargostvans, in shreds remained.

In the picture

EsfandiyarRostamRakhshShulak
Read it in the poemIn the Illustrated PoemAll panels of Book C8
Previous · C8.21Esfandiyar Vaults Onto the Black SteedNext · C8.22Faramarz Slays Mehr-e-Nush

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.