New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Keshvadکشواد

kesh-VAHD

Father of Gudarz, a commander of Manuchehr’s day.

In the poem
First at A6.15, The Birth of Manuchehr; last at E5.6, Bahram Chubin Takes Command
Named
61 times, in 49 sections
Main stories
B13 Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign (8); C2 The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh (8); B1 The Crisis after Manuchehr (7)
Children
Gudarz
Plates
Vol I: VIII, 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 Keshvad most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Keshvad. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
A6.15

The Birth of Manuchehr

Iraj’s daughter bears a son. Fereydoon, blinded by weeping, regains his sight when he holds the child, whom he names Manuchehr. He raises him in splendor, gathers arms and treasure, and calls the champions of Iran together for vengeance.

  • A6.15.30
    There Qobad stood, and gold-helmed Keshvad too,With other famed men, steadfast, brave, and true.
Keshvad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B1.12

Zal Hears of Nohzar’s Death

The Iranians mourn Nohzar and Zal vows vengeance. The captives at Sari beg Aghriras for help, and he promises to withdraw if an Iranian force approaches. Keshvad rides from Zabul, Aghriras pulls back, and Zal welcomes the freed nobles.

  • B1.12.34
    With Gharan, Kharrad, Keshvad at his side,Long-armed, peerless in Iran’s ranks, they ride.
  • B1.12.57
    Then Keshvad struck his breast and answered clear:“I take the task; no danger brings me fear.”
  • B1.12.62
    When Keshvad reached them, fortune turned its face;The key to all their bonds appeared in place.
Keshvad named 5 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.
Keshvad named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
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.

  • B5.10.11
    Upon the left stood Gudarz, battle-wise,Son of Keshvad, beneath the darkened skies.
  • B5.10.74
    Upon the right Gudarz, Keshvad’s son, pressed,Tabiras, banners, battle in his breast.
Keshvad named 2 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.

  • B8.16.32
    Son of Keshvad, in war of proven skill,Whose strength and counsel bend all things to will.
  • B8.16.93
    Then woe to Gudarz, Keshvad’s noble line,If one like you should bear that house’s sign.
Keshvad named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B10.31

Tus Refuses Allegiance to Kay Khosrow

At Keshvad’s palace in Istakhr the nobles hail Khosrow, but Tus refuses. Proud of his descent from Manuchehr, he calls Khosrow Afrasiab’s seed and backs Fariborz, son of Kavus. Giv argues with him and reports the refusal to Gudarz.

  • B10.31.1
    At Istakhr stood old Keshvad’s palace grand,The nobles prized its splendor through the land.
  • B10.31.2
    When from King Kavus’s throne at last they rose,They made for Keshvad’s eyvan as they chose.
Keshvad named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B13.8

Tus and Houman Meet in Combat

Houman and Tus exchange insults and offers of peace, and Giv angrily urges an end to talk. The two commanders fight with gorz, sword and bow. Tus kills Houman’s horse, but night separates them before either wins.

  • B13.8.16
    Where is Gudarz, son of Keshvad renowned,That world-seizer whose name has shaken ground?
  • B13.8.52
    You saw my Indian sword there in the fray,Where Keshvad’s fighting seed opposed my way.
  • B13.8.53
    Of Keshvad’s seed no warrior could evadeThe written charter of my tempered blade.
Keshvad named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C2.8

Bijan Is Brought before Afrasiab

Garsivaz breaks into the revel, finds Bijan among the women and taunts him. Bijan draws a hidden khanjar but yields on oath and is bound. Before Afrasiab he blames a pari for carrying him off; the king rejects the tale and orders a gallows set at the gate.

  • C2.8.15
    Where now are Giv and Gudarz, Keshvad’s line?For nothing must this head be given. Mine.
  • C2.8.19
    “Bijan am I, of Keshvad’s ancient tree,Head of the Pahlevans and of the free.
  • C2.8.83
    Say to Gudarz of Keshvad, in my name:By Gorgin’s doing I have come to shame.
Keshvad named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 49 sections that name Keshvad
  1. A6.15 The Birth of Manuchehr
  2. B1.2 Pashang Hears of Manuchehr’s Death
  3. B1.6 Nohzar’s Third Battle with Afrasiab
  4. B1.12 Zal Hears of Nohzar’s Death
  5. B3.1 Kay Qobad Takes the Throne
  6. B3.3 Afrasiab Goes to His Father
  7. B3.4 Pashang Sues Kay Qobad for Peace
  8. B4.1 The Reign of Kay Kavus, His Sitting upon the Throne, and His Intent to March to Mazandaran
  9. B5.10 Kavus Wars with Mazandaran
  10. B7.1 Rostam and the Seven Warriors Go Hunting
  11. B7.2 Rostam Battles the Turanians
  12. B8.11 Sohrab Takes the White Fortress
  13. B8.16 Sohrab Questions Hajir on Iran’s Chiefs
  14. B10.17 Giv Finds Kay Khosrow
  15. B10.23 The Contest of Piran and Giv
  16. B10.31 Tus Refuses Allegiance to Kay Khosrow
  17. B10.33 The Kingship Is Debated before Kavus
  18. B11.5 The Mustering of the Pahlevans
  19. B11.8 Kay Khosrow Inspects the Army
  20. B12.22 The Turanians Defeat the Iranians
  21. B12.24 Tazhav Slays Bahram
  22. B13.8 Tus and Houman Meet in Combat
  23. B13.9 The Second Battle of Iran and Turan
  24. B13.15 Khosrow Learns of His Army’s Plight
  25. B13.19 The Coming of the Khan of Chin
  26. B13.25 Giv and Tus Battle Kamus
  27. B13.31 Kamus Slays Alva
  28. B14.6 Turan’s Counsel before Battle
  29. B14.8 The Battle Lines Are Drawn
  30. B14.25 Rostam Wrestles Puladvand
  31. C2.2 Irman’s People Appeal to Khosrow
  32. C2.8 Bijan Is Brought before Afrasiab
  33. C2.9 Piran Pleads for Bijan’s Life
  34. C2.11 Gorgin Brings False Tidings of Bijan
  35. C2.17 Rostam Comes to Khosrow
  36. C2.22 Manijeh Seeks Out Rostam
  37. C3.3 Kay Khosrow Sends Gudarz against Turan
  38. C3.5 Giv’s Visit to Piran
  39. C3.9 Houman Challenges Rohham
  40. C3.10 Houman Challenges Fariborz
  41. C3.28 Gudarz and Piran Choose the Warriors
  42. C4.2 Kay Khosrow Musters against Afrasiab
  43. C4.8 Kay Khosrow Battles Shideh
  44. C4.10 The Armies Meet in Battle
  45. C4.42 Afrasiab Escapes from Hohm
  46. C4.56 Gudarz Receives Khosrow’s Mandate
  47. C4.63 The Pahlevans Are Lost in the Snow
  48. C5.17 Zarir Bears Word to Caesar
  49. E5.6 Bahram Chubin Takes Command

Family

Children
Gudarz
Volume I · Plate VIIIThe Champions of Iranthe great houses of the muster · B11.5Volume II · Plate VThe House of Keshvadthe champions of Iran · C2–C5

On the maps

B3.4The Peace of the JihunB5.10–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 WorldC4.2–C4.14Kay Khosrow's Last Offensive and the Crossing of the Jihun

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
A6The First Kings: Fereydoon1B1The Crisis after Manuchehr7B3Kay Qobad4B4The War with Mazandaran1B5The Seven Labors of Rostam2B7The Fight of the Seven Warriors2B8The Tragedy of Rostam & Sohrab3B10Vengeance for Siavash and the Retrieval of Kay Khosrow5B11Kay Khosrow’s Kingship2B12Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign2B13Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign8B14The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin3C2The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh8C3The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs5C4The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow6C5Lohrasp1E5Hormizd, Son of Anooshirvan1

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.