Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Hajirهجیر

ha-JEER

Son of Gudarz, captured by Sohrab. He names the Iranian chiefs to Sohrab but hides Rostam.

In the poem: First at B8.8, Sohrab Comes to the White Fortress; last at C4.15, Khosrow’s Second Battle with Afrasiab
Named: 64 times, in 18 sections
Main stories: B8 The Tragedy of Rostam & Sohrab (40); C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (20); C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (2)
Parents: Gudarz
Plates: Vol I: VIII, Vol II: IV, Vol II: V

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

B8.8

Sohrab Comes to the White Fortress

Sohrab reaches the White Fortress on the frontier. Its commander Hajir rides out alone to fight him. Sohrab lifts him from the saddle with the butt of his spear, spares him when he begs for quarter, and sends him captive to Houman. The fortress mourns.

B8.8.2
Brave Hajir held command within its wall,A battle-tested chief, renowned by all.
B8.8.6
As Sohrab neared, Hajir beheld the foe,And armed at once to ride against the blow.
B8.8.7
Upon a wind-foot charger Hajir sped,And from the fortress gate to battle fled.

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

B8.12

Kavus Summons Rostam from Zabulistan

Kavus writes urging Rostam to come at once, and Giv rides to Zabul. Rostam cannot believe that a Turk could be so strong, and his own son by Tahmineh must still be a child. He feasts and drinks for three days before setting out.

B8.12.38
Then Giv recounted all that he had heard,Of Sohrab, Hajir, fortress, deed, and word.
B8.12.50
But what you claim; that he has come afield,Has struck Hajir and forced his arm to yield?
B8.12.51
You say he hurled Hajir from off his steed,Then bound him in his kamand at speed.

Hajir named 3 times 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.

B8.16.6
He summoned Hajir to the rocky height,And fixed him with a gaze as hard as night:
B8.16.13
Hajir replied: “Ask what you wish to hear;I shall reply, free of deceit or fear.
B8.16.22
Who sits enthroned within those guarded walls?”Hajir replied: “The Shah commands those halls.

Hajir named 16 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B8.21

The Tragedy of Sohrab

Rostam throws Sohrab and stabs him. Dying, Sohrab warns that his father will avenge him, and the token on his arm reveals the truth. Sohrab asks mercy for his army and for Hajir. Rostam nearly kills Hajir and then himself, and Gudarz restrains him.

B8.21.93
Then Houman answered: “One man caused this blight:Hajir concealed the chief from Sohrab’s sight.
B8.21.94
Sohrab sought his father’s signs in vain;Hajir withheld them, joining grief to pain.
B8.21.97
At Hajir’s deed suspicion filled his breast;He knew concealment drove the fatal quest.

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

C3.17

Gudarz Appeals to Khosrow

Gudarz dictates a secret letter reporting the embassy, the two combats, and Afrasiab’s position on the river, and asks whether the Shah will come. Hajir carries it by relays in a week; Khosrow rewards him lavishly, then prays at dawn for victory.

C3.17.22
He called young Hajir, prudent, keen of mind,Whose youthful years an elder’s sense combined.
C3.17.28
He clasped his son in farewell, held him near;Then Hajir left his father, held so dear.
C3.17.35
Shammakh saw Hajir’s face and questioned him:“O hero’s son, who seizes lions grim,

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

C3.19

Khosrow Musters the Army

Tus marches for Dehestan and Khwarazm and Khosrow follows with a hundred thousand men. Hajir returns in a robe of honor with the royal letter; Gudarz has it read to the chiefs, opens his treasury, pays and remounts the army, and reviews it.

C3.19.1
When Hajir left the royal court that day,Khosrow and his minister weighed the fray.
C3.19.17
Hajir sped from Khosrow, smiling bright,His heart rejoicing in the homeward flight.
C3.19.26
Then Hajir gave the letter Khosrow penned,With noble greetings that the Shah would send.

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

C3.24

Iran and Turan Fight a Pitched Battle

The two armies fight from dawn until dark. Piran sends Lahhak and Farshidvard to the flanks; Gudarz answers through Giv, who commits Zangeh and Gorgin against them and then charges the Turanian center with Guraza, Gostaham, Bijan and Hajir.

C3.24.27
His son Hajir, a lion in the fight,Stood in reserve with bow and sword held bright.
C3.24.32
Hajir stood ready, with his girdle tight,And heard his father’s words amid the fight.
C3.24.57
Guraza came, and Gostaham drew near,With Bijan and the army-chief Hajir.

Hajir named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C3.35

Hajir Battles Sipahram

Hajir faces Sipahram, a kinsman of Afrasiab. Their swords strike sparks until Hajir, calling on the Maker’s name, kills him with one blow to the helmet. He ties the body to his saddle, leads the dead man’s horse away and climbs the height to bless his fortune.

C3.35.1
Hajir rode seventh from the chosen band,A famous horseman, bold to make his stand.
C3.35.6
Brave Hajir, like a lion, pressed the fight,And faced Sipahram boldly in his might.
C3.35.10
Then Hajir swiftly leaped to earth and tiedDead Sipahram fast to his saddle’s side.