Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Irajایرج

ee-RAJ

Fereydoon’s youngest son, heir to Iran, murdered by his brothers.

In the poem: First at A6.6, Fereydoon Tests His Sons; last at E10.10, The Plot against Yazdegard
Named: 77 times, in 36 sections
Main stories: A6 The First Kings: Fereydoon (46); B3 Kay Qobad (5); C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (5)
Parents: Fereydoon, Shahrnaz, Arnavaz
Spouses: Mah-Afarid
Children: Iraj’s daughter
Plates: Vol I: I, Vol I: II, Vol I: III

Genealogical plate: The Four Houses at a Glance — Volume I, Plate I: The Four Houses at a Glance. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

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

A6.6

Fereydoon Tests His Sons

Fereydoon meets his returning sons disguised as a dragon. The eldest flees, the second draws his bow, and the youngest orders the beast away. The king names them Salm, Tur and Iraj accordingly, names their brides, and reads in their horoscopes a war to come.

A6.6.39
So Iraj is the fitting name to bear;May greatness crown his fortune everywhere.
A6.6.44
Fair Sahi went to Iraj, his to wed;Canopus bowed before her lovely head.”
A6.6.50
For Iraj Cancer rose beneath Moon’s ray,And signs of war foretold a bitter day.

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

A6.8

Salm Grows Envious

As Fereydoon ages, Salm resents that the youngest brother has been given Iran. He sends word to Tur, who flares up at their father’s ‘fraud’, and the two brothers meet in secret to plot.

A6.8.7
He hated that the golden throne was givenTo Iraj; envy left his spirit riven.
A6.8.15
And if the throne must pass beyond my hand,Then you, not Iraj, should receive the land.
A6.8.16
To Iraj went Iran, the spearmen’s plain,And Yemen joined beneath his royal reign.

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

A6.11

Iraj Goes to Meet His Brothers

Fereydoon writes asking the elder brothers to receive Iraj kindly. Iraj rides to them with a few companions, and their troops are so taken with him that they whisper that he alone deserves the crown. Salm, jealous, persuades Tur that Iraj must die.

A6.11.18
The Shah affixed his seal upon the scroll,And Iraj left the eyvan, heart made whole.
A6.11.20
As Iraj neared them, nothing yet revealedThe dark design his brothers’ hearts concealed.
A6.11.26
The army spoke of Iraj with one voice:For throne and crown, he was the rightful choice.

Iraj named 8 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

A6.12

Iraj Is Slain

Tur demands to know why the youngest should rule. Iraj gives up all claim to the crown and begs for peace, but Tur strikes him with a golden chair, stabs him and cuts off his head. The brothers send it, packed in musk, to Fereydoon.

A6.12.4
When Iraj saw them coming on the way,His heart brimmed love; he ran to them that day.
A6.12.10
Iraj heard Tur, then framed his answer clear;A purer answer rose for all to hear.
A6.12.22
Iraj’s words found nothing he could prize;For truth held little value in his eyes.

Iraj named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

A6.13

Fereydoon Receives the Tragic News

Fereydoon and his army ride out to welcome Iraj, but meet a messenger bearing his head in a golden casket. The king falls from his horse, burns Iraj’s garden, and prays to live until an avenger rises from Iraj’s line.

A6.13.2
The time had come when Iraj should return,Yet what had happened, how could father learn?
A6.13.9
Within the golden casket silk was spread,And in its folds lay Iraj’s severed head.
A6.13.12
They drew the silken folds away in dread,And there before them lay young Iraj’s head.

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

A6.18

Fereydoon Answers His Sons

Fereydoon rejects the plea: the murderers will meet Manuchehr only on the battlefield, and no treasure can buy a son’s blood. The envoy reports the splendor of Iran’s court, and Salm and Tur, alarmed, gather their armies and march on Iran.

A6.18.7
If love for Manuchehr has touched your breast,Where lies famed Iraj? Where does his body rest?
A6.18.9
With Iraj slain and cast aside from view,You now prepare for Manuchehr’s blood too.
A6.18.15
With your blood we will drench, from leaf to fruit,The tree of vengeance sprung from Iraj’s root.

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

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.

A6.19.10
For Iraj’s vengeance I will lead the way,And raise our army’s dust to cloud the day.
A6.19.43
Though Iraj left a daughter as his heir,What right have you the royal crown to wear?’”
A6.19.54
He knows that Iraj stands within my line;And blessed Fereydoon confirms the sign.

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

B3.4

Pashang Sues Kay Qobad for Peace

Pashang writes to Kay Qobad offering peace on the basis of Fereydoon’s ancient division of the world, with the Jihun as the frontier. Qobad accepts and the Turanians withdraw. Despite Rostam’s protest, the Shah rewards his champions and gives Rostam the rule of Nimruz.

B3.4.8
For Tur first sinned to seize the royal throne,When Iraj fell through evil he had sown.
B3.4.10
For Manuchehr avenged what Iraj bore,And paid that ancient debt in blood before.
B3.4.14
Let Iran hold what once to Iraj fell,And keep the bounds that ancient wisdom drew well.