Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Jahanجهن

ja-HAHN

A son of Afrasiab.

In the poem: First at B9.33, Siavash Displays His Prowess before Afrasiab; last at C4.32, Khosrow Sends Spoils and Captives to Kavus
Named: 28 times, in 11 sections
Main stories: C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (26); B9 The Story of Siavash (2)
Parents: Afrasiab
Plates: Vol II: III

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

In the poem’s own words

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

B9.33

Siavash Displays His Prowess before Afrasiab

Afrasiab tests his guest at polo, archery and the hunt. Siavash hits the ball out of sight, strings a bow no Turanian can bend, pierces the target and cuts a Gur-e-Khar in equal halves. The king grows fonder, but some Turanians grow uneasy.

B9.33.21
With Piran, Jahan, Garsivaz the bold,With Nastihan and Houman fierce and cold.
B9.33.104
To Jahan or Garsivaz he spoke no thought,Nor shared the hidden counsel that he sought.

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

C4.3

Afrasiab Hears of Piran’s Death

At Baikand, Afrasiab learns that Piran, Lahhak and Farshidvard are dead. He mourns, throws down his crown, swears to live as a soldier until he is avenged, pays his troops, leaves Qarakhan in Bukhara, ferries his army over the Jihun and ranks his sons for battle.

C4.3.104
His name was Jahan, valiant, proud, and bold;Throughout the world his warrior’s name was told.
C4.3.119
Damur and Jaranjash marched in his train,To strengthen Jahan’s force upon the plain.

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

C4.6

Afrasiab Sends Envoys to Khosrow

Afrasiab sends Shideh with terms: kinship, all his treasure and withdrawal from Iranian land, or else combat between the kings, or with Shideh, or three days of escalating battle. Turkish outriders attack Iran’s pickets before Shideh can stop them, and Gharan comes out to hear the message.

C4.6.23
Let Jahan and brave Shideh brothers beTo you; in war they turn Mount Gang to sea.

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

C4.10

The Armies Meet in Battle

The armies join. Gharan wears down Jahan, Gostaham drives on the right, and days of slaughter follow. Afrasiab spreads his ranks to get clear of the towered elephants. Khosrow prays behind his lines, kills Ila and unhorses Ustukila, and Afrasiab is pulled away at dusk.

C4.10.3
Then Jahan led thirty thousand swordsmen bold,Equipped for war, their hearts like tempered gold.
C4.10.5
He left the center, mountain-like in might,And wore brave Jahan down amid the fight.
C4.10.12
When brave Gharan had won that bitter fray,The valiant Jahan’s fortune fell away.

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

C4.19

Afrasiab Sends Jahan to Khosrow

Jahan comes out of the fortress as envoy and is received with honor. Afrasiab’s message praises Khosrow, blames the Div for Siavash’s murder, laments the ruined cities, warns of winter and of fresh armies, offers all his treasure for peace, and threatens to vanish beyond Kimak.

C4.19.4
For Jahan came with ten wise riders, sageIn rank and counsel, seasoned by their age.
C4.19.6
The chamberlain then entered to report,“Jahan has come and waits before the court.”
C4.19.8
Then Manushan, the warrior, came to guideWise Jahan to the king, and walked beside.

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

C4.21

Gang-Behesht Falls to Kay Khosrow

Khosrow assaults the fortress on four sides, ringing it with a trench and hundreds of engines. His miners undercut the walls, prop them with timber soaked in naphtha and fire it. The ramparts fall, Rostam storms the breach, Jahan and Garsivaz are taken alive, and the city is plundered.

C4.21.48
Like dust he came, and raised his urgent cries,To summon Jahan, Garsivaz to rise.
C4.21.66
Jahan and Garsivaz, both widely knownAs mighty pillars of the Turkish throne.

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

C4.22

Afrasiab Flees from Gang-Behesht

From his palace roof Afrasiab watches two-thirds of his men die and his city burn. He takes leave of his hall and escapes with two hundred chiefs through a secret tunnel. Khosrow takes the golden throne, searches the city and questions his prisoners without learning anything.

C4.22.8
No Jahan, brother, land, or royal state;No crown, throne, belt remained to mark him great.
C4.22.22
He questioned Jahan, Garsivaz, to knowWhat had become of Turan’s lord, his foe:

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

C4.32

Khosrow Sends Spoils and Captives to Kavus

Khosrow empties Afrasiab’s treasury and sends the spoil, the women of his household, Garsivaz and Jahan in fetters and a thousand hostages to Kavus under Giv’s escort, with a letter reporting the siege. Kavus praises God, houses the captives, and loads Giv with gifts.

C4.32.11
Then Jahan, Garsivaz, whom men revered,In litters, and with fettered feet, appeared.
C4.32.56
Bound Jahan came, with Garsivaz bound too,Who brought down Siavash through schemes untrue.
C4.32.65
They readied Jahan’s lodging and suppliedHis food, with servants and a trusted guide.