Character · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Bih Afridبه‌آفرید

beh-ah-fa-REED

Goshtasb's daughter, sister of Homahyi, taken captive to Turan.

In the poem: First at C6.28, News of Lohrasp’s Death Reaches Goshtasb; last at C8.29, Bishutan Brings Esfandiyar Home
Named: 5 times, in 4 sections
Main stories: C6 Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp (3); C7 Esfandiyar’s Seven Stages and the Ruyin Dezh (1); C8 The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar (1)
Parents: Goshtasb, Katayun
Plates: Vol II: VI
Pictures: 3 panels · identity sheets

Genealogical plate: The House of Lohrasp — Volume II, Plate VI: The House of Lohrasp. Tap to open the genealogies.

How we draw Bih Afrid

The identity sheet the illustrator works from. Tap to open full size. More in the Art section.

Bih Afrid, identity sheet: Young woman — **Young woman**

In the pictures

Bih Afrid in 3 woodcut panels of the illustrated poem, in story order. Tap one to see it with the couplets it illustrates.

C7.10Homahyi Knows Her Brother's Voice

C7.15The Ruyin Dezh Burns behind the Caravan

C8.29The Women Mourn at the Black Steed

In the poem’s own words

The 4 sections that name Bih Afrid most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Bih Afrid. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

C6.28

News of Lohrasp’s Death Reaches Goshtasb

Goshtasb’s wife rides to Sistan in Turkish disguise with the news: Lohrasp killed, Balkh sacked, the fire quenched, Homahyi and Bih Afrid led away in chains. Goshtasb summons his Pahlevans and marches to Balkh, where three days of battle kill thirty-eight of his sons.

C6.28.17
And Bih Afrid, your other daughter fair,Once hidden from the very breath of air,

Bih Afrid named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C6.30

Jamasp Visits Esfandiyar

Nush Azar nearly kills Jamasp for his Turanian cap. Esfandiyar refuses his father’s message, and Lohrasp, his sisters, his father’s plight and his dead brothers all leave him unmoved; only Farshidvard’s name breaks him. He snaps his own fetters, faints, then calls for arms.

C6.30.42
Fair Homahyi and Bih Afrid now standAs captives, full of grief, in Turkish land.
C6.30.45
And noble Bih Afrid, of high degree,Had scarcely cast a single thought on me.”

Bih Afrid named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C7.12

Esfandiyar Slays Arjasp

At night Esfandiyar opens the chests, sends his sisters to safety, storms the palace and kills Arjasp hand to hand. He seals the treasure, rides out with his hundred and sixty men, and leaves orders to cast Arjasp’s head from the wall.

C7.12.14
Homahyi heard the tumult through the hall,And with Bih Afrid hurried at the call.

Bih Afrid named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C8.29

Bishutan Brings Esfandiyar Home

Rostam seals the prince in an iron coffin and sends him home with his shorn horse. Goshtasb mourns, but his nobles, his sisters and his mother turn on him, and Bishutan reproaches both the Shah and Jamasp. Iran mourns for a year.