New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Gurazaگرازه

go-rah-ZEH

An Iranian champion of the house of Givgan.

In the poem
First at B5.10, Kavus Wars with Mazandaran; last at C5.2, Goshtasb Departs in Anger
Named
31 times, in 24 sections
Main stories
C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (11); B7 The Fight of the Seven Warriors (4); B12 Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign (3)
Plates
Vol II: IV
Genealogical plate: The House of Viseh
Volume II, Plate IV: The House of Viseh. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Guraza most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Guraza. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
B5.10

Kavus Wars with Mazandaran

The armies meet, and Rostam spears the boasting champion Juya out of the saddle. After a week of battle Kavus prays; Rostam then spears the sorcerer-king, who turns himself into a rock. Rostam carries it to camp, the king emerges and is killed, and Ulad receives Mazandaran.

  • B5.10.71
    Guraza charged, a boar, his banner high;Eight baz in height, it towered to the sky.
Guraza named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B6.6

Rostam Battles the Three Kings

Rostam leads the Iranians against the three allied kings. He catches one king with his kamand and plucks him from the saddle, Guraza captures the king of Barbar, and the king of Hamavaran sues for peace and frees Kavus and his chiefs. Kavus gathers a vast army.

  • B6.6.16
    Guraza held the right, his lines arrayed;The baggage train beneath his guard was laid.
  • B6.6.30
    Guraza’s snare the Barbar monarch caught,And forty chiefs were taken as they fought.
Guraza named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B7.1

Rostam and the Seven Warriors Go Hunting

At a feast at Nawand, Giv proposes a hunt in Afrasiab’s own preserves. Rostam and the champions hunt across the Turanian border for a week, with Guraza as lookout. Afrasiab sends thirty thousand men to trap them, and Rostam, warned, calls for more wine.

  • B7.1.13
    Then Barzin and Guraza joined the throng,The crown and glory of that gathering strong.
  • B7.1.44
    Then Guraza strung his bow and took his stand,A watchful chief beside the hunting band.
  • B7.1.58
    As they drew near, Guraza caught their trail,A black cloud swelling like a stormy gale.
Guraza named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B7.3

Pilsam Battles the Iranians and Alkus’ Battle

Piran’s brother Pilsam unhorses Gorgin and holds off four champions until Piran protests and Rostam drives him away. Alkus then fells Zavareh, taking him for Rostam, but Rostam lifts Alkus from the saddle on his spear, and the seven champions rout the Turanians.

  • B7.3.7
    What dust are Tus and Giv before my spear,Or Bahram, Zangeh, Guraza drawn near?
Guraza named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B8.16

Sohrab Questions Hajir on Iran’s Chiefs

From a hilltop Sohrab makes the captive Hajir name the Iranian chiefs by their tents and banners. Hajir names Kavus, Tus, Gudarz, Giv, Fariborz and Guraza, but calls the giant under the dragon banner an unknown ally from Chin, and resolves to die rather than betray Rostam.

  • B8.16.64
    What warrior leads that force?” Then Hajir cried:“Guraza leads, and holds firm at their side.
Guraza named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B10.4

Rostam Takes Vengeance

Rostam drags Sudabeh from her chamber and cuts her in two while Kavus sits silent. After seven more days of mourning he rallies the chiefs, vows a war of vengeance, and marches with a hundred thousand men.

  • B10.4.11
    Then Shapur, Fariborz, and Rohham pressed,With Guraza, vengeance burning in each breast.
Guraza named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.25

Giv’s Horse Falters before Piran

Giv breaks through to Piran, but his horse balks and his arrows leave the chief unharmed. Bijan reminds him that only Gudarz can kill Piran. Piran flees to Lahhak and Farshidvard, who fight Giv, Guraza, Bijan and Gostaham to a standstill until nightfall.

  • C3.25.60
    Upon Giv’s right Guraza drove his horseTo meet bold Farshidvard with warlike force.
  • C3.25.62
    Guraza swung; in steel-bound jowshan, lowThe chief bent to his saddle, foiled the blow.
  • C3.25.63
    Then with his spear he struck Guraza’s belt,But no link parted with the stroke he dealt.
Guraza named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.31

Guraza Battles Siamak

Guraza and Siamak charge with spears, then with gorzes, until thirst and exhaustion bring them both to the ground. They grapple, and Guraza throws Siamak and breaks his bones. He binds the corpse across its horse, leads it to the height and prays for the king.

  • C3.31.1
    Third, from Turan, Siamak rode to meetThe bold Guraza, whom he must defeat.
  • C3.31.7
    Guraza reached with lion-hearted might,And brought Siamak down as wind in flight.
Guraza named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 24 sections that name Guraza
  1. B5.10 Kavus Wars with Mazandaran
  2. B6.6 Rostam Battles the Three Kings
  3. B7.1 Rostam and the Seven Warriors Go Hunting
  4. B7.3 Pilsam Battles the Iranians and Alkus’ Battle
  5. B8.16 Sohrab Questions Hajir on Iran’s Chiefs
  6. B10.4 Rostam Takes Vengeance
  7. B11.5 The Mustering of the Pahlevans
  8. B11.8 Kay Khosrow Inspects the Army
  9. B12.4 Forood and Tokhvar Survey the Troops
  10. B12.5 Bahram Meets Forood on the Mountain
  11. B12.22 The Turanians Defeat the Iranians
  12. B13.9 The Second Battle of Iran and Turan
  13. B13.10 The Turanians Use Sorcery
  14. B13.14 The Iranians Make a Night-Attack, Tus, Giv, Rohham Are Surrounded but Are Saved
  15. B14.21 Afrasiab Hears of Rostam’s Coming
  16. C2.20 Rostam Arms His Men
  17. C3.3 Kay Khosrow Sends Gudarz against Turan
  18. C3.6 The Armies Are Set in Array
  19. C3.10 Houman Challenges Fariborz
  20. C3.24 Iran and Turan Fight a Pitched Battle
  21. C3.25 Giv’s Horse Falters before Piran
  22. C3.28 Gudarz and Piran Choose the Warriors
  23. C3.31 Guraza Battles Siamak
  24. C5.2 Goshtasb Departs in Anger

Family

Volume II · Plate IVThe House of Visehthe Battle of the Rukhs · C3

On the maps

B5.10–B5.11Kavus's Mazandaran Campaign and the Return to IranB7.1The Frontier Hunt and the Clash of the Seven ChampionsB13.9–B13.26The Siege of Mount Hamavan and the Gathering of the WorldC2.20–C2.27Rostam's Merchant-Disguise Rescue to KhutanC3.6–C3.39The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
B5The Seven Labors of Rostam1B6The Folly of Kay Kavus2B7The Fight of the Seven Warriors4B8The Tragedy of Rostam & Sohrab1B10Vengeance for Siavash and the Retrieval of Kay Khosrow1B11Kay Khosrow’s Kingship2B12Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign3B13Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign3B14The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin1C2The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh1C3The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs11C5Lohrasp1

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.