Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Gharanقارن

ghah-REN

Son of Kaveh, a great commander under Manuchehr and Nohzar; his line is still named under Kay Khosrow. Mount Gharan is also a byword for height.

In the poem: First at A6.15, The Birth of Manuchehr; last at E8.2, Khosrow Parviz Answers Shiruyeh
Named: 89 times, in 33 sections (including 5 where the name may belong to Gharan)
Main stories: B1 The Crisis after Manuchehr (43); A6 The First Kings: Fereydoon (18); B3 Kay Qobad (11)
Parents: Kaveh
Plates: Vol I: VIII

Genealogical plate: The Champions of Iran — Volume I, Plate VIII: The Champions of Iran. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Gharan most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Gharan. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

A6.19

Manuchehr Marches for Vengeance

The enemy crosses the Jihun, and Fereydoon sends Manuchehr out with Gharan in the van. The vast army marches from Tammisheh with its elephants. Tur taunts Manuchehr as a king born of a daughter, and Manuchehr vows to take his head.

A6.19.12
He ordered Gharan, battle-keen and bold,To lead the vanguard and the front to hold.
A6.19.27
Bold Gharan led three hundred thousand horse,All fighting riders gathered in that force.
A6.19.30
Then elephant-bodied Gharan rode besideManuchehr from Narvan’s woods in martial pride.

Gharan named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

A6.23

Gharan Takes the Castle of the Alanons

Manuchehr foresees that Salm will retreat to the sea-fortress of the Alanons. Gharan goes ahead with Tur’s signet ring, poses as Tur’s envoy and is let in, then signals Shirviyeh. The fortress is stormed and burned, and its garrison slaughtered.

A6.23.10
He formed the plan and told it Gharan then,A secret still concealed from other men.
A6.23.11
When Gharan heard the Shah’s concealed design,He said, “Wise ruler, hear this thought of mine.
A6.23.30
The castellan heard Gharan’s message through,And saw the signet-ring and deemed it true.

Gharan named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B1.4

Barman and Qobad in Single Combat

The Turk Barman challenges the Iranians, and only old Qobad answers him. Qobad falls. Gharan leads a furious charge against the Turanian ranks and fights Afrasiab until sorcerous darkness ends the day.

B1.4.15
Gharan looked round upon the gathered band,But none stepped forth to meet the bold demand.
B1.4.17
Gharan was grieved to hear his brother speak,And tears of anger marked his troubled cheek.
B1.4.34
Since all must go, why dread the final call?My brother Gharan lives, both strong and tall.

Gharan named 10 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B1.6

Nohzar’s Third Battle with Afrasiab

In the third battle Shapur falls and Nohzar retreats into the fortress of Dehestan. When Afrasiab sends Kurukhan to seize the royal women in Pars, Gharan and the chiefs slip away by night against the Shah’s wishes, and Gharan kills Barman on the road.

B1.6.9
Gharan held firm the center of the line;The Shah stood as its pillar and its sign.
B1.6.19
Then Nohzar and Gharan knew from the signNo friendly star would aid their battle line.
B1.6.20
When Nohzar saw the field was lost that day,With Gharan toward Dehestan made his way.

Gharan named 12 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B1.7

Nohzar Is Taken by Afrasiab

Nohzar rides after Gharan but is overtaken and captured with twelve hundred nobles. Afrasiab orders a search for Gharan, learns that Gharan has killed Barman, and sends Barman’s grieving father, Viseh, after him.

B1.7.1
When Nohzar learned that Gharan had withdrawn,He mounted fast and followed swiftly on.
B1.7.18
Seek Gharan till the warrior is found;Let him not flee beyond our army’s bound.”
B1.7.19
But when he heard that Gharan had withdrawnTo guard the royal women, peace was gone.

Gharan named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B1.8

Viseh Finds His Son Slain

Riding for vengeance, Viseh finds Barman dead on the field. He meets Gharan, who has come from Pars, and taunts him with the captive Shah, but the Turanians are beaten in the battle that follows, and Viseh returns weeping to Afrasiab.

B1.8.2
Before he reached Gharan upon the plain,He found his son among the Turan slain.
B1.8.9
Word reached Gharan that Viseh now drew near,With victory and farr, his army at his rear.
B1.8.10
Gharan sent Tazi steeds toward Nimruz’s way,To speed ahead before the close of day.

Gharan named 7 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B1.10

Zal Comes to Mehrab’s Aid

Zal comes to Kabul and announces himself by shooting three arrows into the enemy camp at night. Next day he kills Khazarvan with his father’s ox-headed gorz and Kulbad with an arrow. Shamasas flees, only to run into Gharan, and escapes with a handful of men.

B1.10.40
Shamasas fled the field where blood was shed;In wilderness Gharan stood straight ahead.
B1.10.41
For Gharan came, returning from the fray,Where he had driven Viseh’s men away.
B1.10.42
The two great armies met across the way,And Gharan faced Shamasas in array.

Gharan named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B3.1

Kay Qobad Takes the Throne

Kay Qobad is crowned and at once leads the army against Afrasiab. The Iranian battle order is set out with Rostam in the van, the Kaviani banner flies, and Gharan cuts through the Turanian ranks and kills Shamasas.

B3.1.2
The chiefs drew near: brave Zal and Gharan bold,With Keshvad, Kharrad, Barzin famed of old.
B3.1.10
Gharan held fast the center of the field,With Keshvad near, whose foes were made to yield.
B3.1.19
When Gharan saw the battle’s surging tide,He roared like thunder, lion-like, and cried.