New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Character · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Nastihanنستیهن

nas-tee-HAN

A son of Viseh, slain by Bijan in a night attack.

In the poem
First at B9.33, Siavash Displays His Prowess before Afrasiab; last at C3.22, Piran Seeks Afrasiab’s Aid
Named
21 times, in 12 sections
Main stories
C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (13); B10 Vengeance for Siavash and the Retrieval of Kay Khosrow (3); B14 The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin (3)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Nastihan most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Nastihan. 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.
Nastihan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B10.20

Kay Khosrow, Giv, and Farangis Flee to Iran

The three ride secretly for Iran. Piran learns of the flight and sends Kulbad and Nastihan with three hundred riders to kill Giv and bring back Khosrow. While mother and son sleep, Giv keeps armed watch.

  • B10.20.10
    Kulbad and Nastihan were called to lead,Two hardened chiefs renowned for martial deed.
Nastihan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B10.21

Giv Puts Kulbad and Nastihan to Flight

Giv alone scatters Kulbad’s and Nastihan’s riders and returns to reassure Khosrow. Kulbad tells Piran that Giv shrugged off a thousand blows, and Piran scornfully accuses his captains of cowardice.

  • B10.21.22
    Kulbad and Nastihan pursued our trail,With all their force, but even they would fail.
  • B10.21.44
    Seek no more combat with the men of war;You rode with noble Nastihan before,
Nastihan named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.18

News of Tus Reaches Afrasiab

Tazhav reports the losses to Afrasiab, who blames Piran’s slowness. Piran gathers a hundred thousand men and marches by a hidden road towards Gorugard. His scouts report that Tus’s army drinks day and night and sets no watch.

  • B12.18.15
    The left he gave to Nastihan the bold,A lion seemed a lamb within his hold.
Nastihan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B14.6

Turan’s Counsel before Battle

Piran warns his kinsmen and the Khan that Rostam has come for vengeance, while the kin of Kamus and Chingish swear to burn Sistan. Shangul, king of Hind, mocks the fear of ‘one Sagzi’ and promises to lead the attack. Houman foresees disaster.

  • B14.6.86
    Houman, Barman, and Nastihan drew near,Some glad, some grieving, all intent to hear.
Nastihan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B14.15

The Turanians Are Overthrown

Rostam strikes down great and small. At nightfall a black wind darkens the sky and the enemy flees into the desert. Piran tells his men to lay down their weapons and slips away; Giv searches for him in vain, and the Iranians wash off the blood.

  • B14.15.10
    To Nastihan and Kulbad came his cry:“Put every zhupin, every khanjar by.”
Nastihan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B14.21

Afrasiab Hears of Rostam’s Coming

Afrasiab’s warriors urge him to fight, and he vows to kill Rostam and even his own grandson. He sends Farghar to spy and confides his dread of Rostam to his son Shideh, who counsels caution. After Farghar reports and Piran arrives, Afrasiab sends Piran out with the army.

  • B14.21.69
    Piran, Houman, Farshidvard, in retreat,With Kulbad, Nastihan, have known defeat.
Nastihan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.16

Nastihan Is Slain in a Night-Attack

Piran sends Nastihan with ten thousand men to attack by night. The scouts see them coming; Bijan meets them with a thousand horsemen, destroys two-thirds of the force and kills Nastihan with his gorz. Piran, told the news, mourns, and both armies fight all day.

  • C3.16.2
    Piran sent word to Nastihan, whose mightWas famed for bringing aid in desperate fight:
  • C3.16.7
    Then Nastihan replied: “I shall obey;The earth shall run like Jihun in the fray.”
  • C3.16.10
    As Nastihan led on his vengeful band,He neared the troops that guarded Iran’s land.
Nastihan named 9 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 12 sections that name Nastihan
  1. B9.33 Siavash Displays His Prowess before Afrasiab
  2. B10.20 Kay Khosrow, Giv, and Farangis Flee to Iran
  3. B10.21 Giv Puts Kulbad and Nastihan to Flight
  4. B12.18 News of Tus Reaches Afrasiab
  5. B14.6 Turan’s Counsel before Battle
  6. B14.15 The Turanians Are Overthrown
  7. B14.21 Afrasiab Hears of Rostam’s Coming
  8. C3.16 Nastihan Is Slain in a Night-Attack
  9. C3.17 Gudarz Appeals to Khosrow
  10. C3.18 Khosrow Sends His Reply
  11. C3.21 Gudarz Replies to Piran
  12. C3.22 Piran Seeks Afrasiab’s Aid

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
B9The Story of Siavash1B10Vengeance for Siavash and the Retrieval of Kay Khosrow3B12Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign1B14The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin3C3The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs13

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.