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

Manuchehrمنوچهر

ma-noo-CHEHR

Grandson of Iraj, who avenges him on Salm and Tur.

In the poem
First at A6.15, The Birth of Manuchehr; last at E10.10, The Plot against Yazdegard
Named
104 times, in 57 sections
Main stories
A6 The First Kings: Fereydoon (41); B1 The Crisis after Manuchehr (13); A8 The Story of Zal and Rudabeh (9)
Parents
Iraj’s daughter, Pashang of Iran
Children
Nohzar
Plates
Vol I: III, Vol I: IV
Genealogical plate: Fereydoon and the Division of the World
Volume I, Plate III: Fereydoon and the Division of the World. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Manuchehr most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Manuchehr. 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.

  • A6.15.10
    They brought bright wine; the festive cups went round,And Manuchehr his name was then renowned.
  • A6.15.12
    He guarded Manuchehr with such great care,He would not let the wind pass near his heir.
  • A6.15.24
    Fereydoon saw those treasures suited wellTo Manuchehr; his love no tongue could tell.
Manuchehr named 4 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.
  • A6.18.38
    The envoy heard; his courage ebbed away,And saw Manuchehr crowned in bright array.
Manuchehr named 5 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.

  • A6.19.2
    He summoned Manuchehr and charged him, “LeadThe army to the plain with measured speed.”
  • A6.19.7
    Manuchehr said, “What foe could seek your fall,O Shah whom fortune raises over all?
  • A6.19.30
    Then elephant-bodied Gharan rode besideManuchehr from Narvan’s woods in martial pride.
Manuchehr named 7 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A6.21

Manuchehr Brings Vengeance

Warned of Tur’s planned night raid, Manuchehr leaves Gharan in command and lies in ambush with thirty thousand men. Tur finds the Iranians ready, is trapped and flees. Manuchehr spears him from the saddle and cuts off his head.

  • A6.21.8
    Manuchehr listened closely to their word,And then shaped his course from what he had heard.
  • A6.21.19
    Then Manuchehr sprang out to close the snare,And Tur found neither side a passage bare.
  • A6.21.21
    Then Manuchehr drove after him at speed,And caught the blood-stained murderer on his steed.
Manuchehr named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A6.24

Kakouy Attacks the Iranians

Kakouy, grandson of Zahhak, comes from Gang Dezh-Hokht with a hundred thousand riders to support Salm. Manuchehr faces him himself. After a long duel he lifts Kakouy from the saddle by his belt, hurls him to the ground and kills him.

  • A6.24.2
    Manuchehr blessed him: “May your honored placeKeep horse and saddle, gorz, and martial grace.
  • A6.24.15
    Manuchehr said: “Do not disturb your heart;You have already borne the harder part.
  • A6.24.25
    Manuchehr came, his Indian sword held high,And strode to meet him underneath the sky.
Manuchehr named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A7.4

Manuchehr Hears of Zal

Manuchehr sends his son Nohzar to welcome Sahm, who hurries to court with Zal. The king marvels at the youth and asks for his story, and Sahm tells of the dreams, the nest, and the Simorgh returning his son.

  • A7.4.2
    Manuchehr then rejoiced at what he heard,And praised the World-Creator with each word.
  • A7.4.3
    Two chosen sons had Manuchehr beside,Both wise and brave, with Faith and farr allied.
  • A7.4.16
    When Manuchehr’s great standard rose ahead,Sahm left his horse and walked the road instead.
Manuchehr named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B1.1

Nohzar Accedes to the Throne

Nohzar takes Manuchehr’s throne but soon turns greedy and harsh, and the realm falls into turmoil. The nobles offer the crown to Sahm, who refuses it, rebukes them, and comes to court to set the young Shah back on the path of justice.

  • B1.1.2
    He sat upon Manuchehr’s royal seat,And scattered dirhams, dinars at men’s feet.
  • B1.1.15
    May mercy bless Manuchehr’s noble soul,From Him whose Sun and Moon obey control.
  • B1.1.33
    If Manuchehr’s own daughter ruled instead,The dust before her feet would be my bed.
Manuchehr named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B1.2

Pashang Hears of Manuchehr’s Death

Hearing that Manuchehr is dead and Nohzar’s rule is faltering, Pashang of Turan resolves to avenge Tur and Salm. He summons his son Afrasiab, who eagerly takes command, although his brother Aghriras counsels caution.

  • B1.2.1
    When word arrived that Manuchehr was dead,And Nohzar’s rule had faltered in his stead,
  • B1.2.5
    He weighed Manuchehr’s throne, his realm and might,His chiefs and champions proven in the fight.
  • B1.2.33
    Though Manuchehr has vanished from the field,Sahm, son of Nariman, remains their shield.
Manuchehr named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 57 sections that name Manuchehr
  1. A6.15 The Birth of Manuchehr
  2. A6.16 Salm and Tur Hear of the Young Heir
  3. A6.17 Fereydoon Receives a Message from Salm and Tur
  4. A6.18 Fereydoon Answers His Sons
  5. A6.19 Manuchehr Marches for Vengeance
  6. A6.20 Manuchehr Attacks the Army of Tur
  7. A6.21 Manuchehr Brings Vengeance
  8. A6.22 Fereydoon Receives News from Manuchehr
  9. A6.23 Gharan Takes the Castle of the Alanons
  10. A6.24 Kakouy Attacks the Iranians
  11. A6.25 Manuchehr Fights Salm and Slays Him
  12. A6.26 Fereydoon Receives the Head of Salm
  13. A6.27 The Death of Fereydoon
  14. A7.1 The Crowning of Manuchehr
  15. A7.4 Manuchehr Hears of Zal
  16. A7.5 Zal Returns to Zabulistan
  17. A8.5 Zal and Rudabeh: A Secret Visit
  18. A8.6 Zal Seeks Counsel
  19. A8.12 Sahm Comes to Manuchehr
  20. A8.14 Zal Going as an Envoy before Manuchehr
  21. A8.16 Sindokht and Sahm Come to an Agreement
  22. A8.17 Zal Goes with Letter before Manuchehr
  23. A8.22 Zal Returns to Kabul, Sahm and Rudabeh
  24. A9.6 Zal Proudly Writes His Father
  25. A9.7 Manuchehr’s Last Counsel to His Son
  26. B1.1 Nohzar Accedes to the Throne
  27. B1.2 Pashang Hears of Manuchehr’s Death
  28. B1.3 Afrasiab Invades Iran
  29. B1.4 Barman and Qobad in Single Combat
  30. B1.11 Nohzar Falls to Afrasiab
  31. B3.4 Pashang Sues Kay Qobad for Peace
  32. B4.1 The Reign of Kay Kavus, His Sitting upon the Throne, and His Intent to March to Mazandaran
  33. B4.2 Zal Counsels Kay Kavus
  34. B9.20 Afrasiab Seeks the Sages’ Counsel
  35. B9.54 Farangis Pleads before Afrasiab
  36. B10.31 Tus Refuses Allegiance to Kay Khosrow
  37. B11.7 Rostam Is Sent to the Land of Hind
  38. B12.20 Kay Khosrow Recalls Tus
  39. B13.4 Khosrow Dispatches Tus to Turan
  40. C3.2 Afrasiab Summons the Army of Turan
  41. C3.20 Piran’s Letter to Gudarz
  42. C3.21 Gudarz Replies to Piran
  43. C3.22 Piran Seeks Afrasiab’s Aid
  44. C4.2 Kay Khosrow Musters against Afrasiab
  45. C4.15 Khosrow’s Second Battle with Afrasiab
  46. C4.20 Kay Khosrow Answers Jahan
  47. C4.51 Zal Admonishes Kay Khosrow
  48. C4.52 Kay Khosrow Answers Zal
  49. C4.58 Giv Receives Khosrow’s Patent
  50. C8.3 Goshtasb Replies to His Son
  51. C8.29 Bishutan Brings Esfandiyar Home
  52. D1.1 Bahman Seeks Vengeance for His Father
  53. D8.1 Shapur, Son of Hormizd, Surnamed Zul-Aktaf
  54. E6.5 Khosrow and Bahram Parley
  55. E6.6 Gurdiyeh’s Counsel and Khosrow’s Purpose
  56. E7.5 Khosrow Builds the Throne of Taqdis
  57. E10.10 The Plot against Yazdegard

Family

Parents
Iraj’s daughter, Pashang of Iran
Children
Nohzar
Volume I · Plate IIIFereydoon and the Division of the WorldA6 · the war of the brothersVolume I · Plate IVThe Kings of IranManuchehr to Kay Qobad · A7–B3

On the maps

A6.19Manuchehr Marches for VengeanceA7.5Zal Returns to ZabulistanA8.22Zal Returns to Kabul, Sahm and RudabehB1.3Afrasiab's Invasion and the Fall of NohzarB3.4The Peace of the JihunC4.2–C4.14Kay Khosrow's Last Offensive and the Crossing of the JihunD1.1–D1.4Bahman's Vengeance on SistanD8.1.1–D8.1.3Shapur “Pierce-Shoulder” and the Arabian Campaign

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: Fereydoon41A7The First Kings: Manuchehr8A8The Story of Zal and Rudabeh9A9The Birth and Early Feats of Rostam; Manuchehr’s Closing Counsel3B1The Crisis after Manuchehr13B3Kay Qobad1B4The War with Mazandaran3B9The Story of Siavash2B10Vengeance for Siavash and the Retrieval of Kay Khosrow1B11Kay Khosrow’s Kingship2B12Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign1B13Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign1C3The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs4C4The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow7C8The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar2D1The Reign of Bahman, Son of Esfandiyar1D8The Shapur Zul-Aktaf Cycle and Later Early Sasanian Reigns1E6Khosrow Parviz2E7The Story of Khosrow Parviz and Shirin1E10Yazdegard1

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.