New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Being · The Shahnameh · Volume I

Puladvandپولادوند

poo-lahd-VAND

A Div-like champion summoned by Afrasiab, defeated by Rostam.

In the poem
First at B14.22, Afrasiab Writes to Puladvand; last at B14.28, Rostam Returns to Sistan
Named
37 times, in 7 sections
Main stories
B14 The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin (37)

In the poem’s own words

The 7 sections that name Puladvand most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Puladvand. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
B14.22

Afrasiab Writes to Puladvand

Afrasiab has a letter written to Puladvand, lord of the mountains of Chin, promising half his kingdom for Rostam’s death, and sends Shideh with it. Puladvand arrives with his army. Wary of Rostam, he advises cunning, then boasts over his wine that he will cut him to pieces.

  • B14.22.6
    Compose a letter now to Puladvand,And loose the bonds of grief with counsel planned.
  • B14.22.9
    Then praise the fortunate, the famed, the strong,Great Puladvand, sepahbod of the throng.
  • B14.22.14
    Then write: ‘If heaven grants our cause its stay,Let Puladvand come swiftly on his way.
Puladvand named 8 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B14.23

Puladvand Battles Giv and Tus

Puladvand throws Tus from his saddle, catches Giv in his kamand, hurls down Rohham and Bijan, and slashes the Kaviani standard with his khanjar. The Iranians wail and call on Rostam. Old Gudarz, believing his sons and grandson dead, takes off his belt and cap.

  • B14.23.3
    Strong-limbed Puladvand, his kamand on his arm,Stood at the army’s head amid alarm.
  • B14.23.7
    Then Puladvand grew troubled at the view;His saddle’s coiled kamand he loosed and drew.
  • B14.23.13
    Then Puladvand let fly his kamand’s coil;It caught Giv’s head and held, for all his toil.
Puladvand named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B14.24

Rostam Battles Puladvand

Rostam rides against Puladvand and answers his taunts with contempt. A blow of the gorz stuns the Div but does not kill him. Rostam prays for victory only if his cause is just. When no weapon can pierce either man, they agree to wrestle, with no one to interfere.

  • B14.24.2
    He drew to Puladvand and saw his height,A mountain looming in the press of fight.
  • B14.24.7
    He gripped with both his legs and urged his steed,Then challenged Puladvand with wrath and speed.
  • B14.24.15
    He closed with Puladvand and cast his snare;The rider ducked; it caught the empty air.
Puladvand named 10 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B14.25

Rostam Wrestles Puladvand

The champions wrestle. Afrasiab rides up to urge Puladvand to use his khanjar, despite his son Shideh’s protest. Giv warns Rostam, who is unmoved, lifts Puladvand and hurls him down. The Div, thought dead, leaps onto his horse and flees, and his army scatters.

  • B14.25.4
    Then Puladvand and matchless Rostam closed,Two grim, strong lions, each to each opposed.
  • B14.25.11
    Go watch how Puladvand now wrestles, bold,And see how well his grips maintain their hold.
  • B14.25.18
    He said, “If Puladvand should fall today,No warrior in our ranks will get away.
Puladvand named 10 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B14.26

Afrasiab Flees before Rostam

Piran tells Afrasiab that all is lost and he must flee. Leaving his banner and army behind, Afrasiab escapes towards Chin and Machin. Rostam’s men fight on with gorz and sword until the enemy breaks; then Rostam stops the slaughter, shares the spoil and burns Afrasiab’s towns.

  • B14.26.4
    How will you fare? No champions remain,And Puladvand the Div has left the plain.
Puladvand named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B14.27

Rostam’s Return to Court

The army returns laden with Turanian treasure. Kay Khosrow rides out in festive state, embraces Rostam and brings him to the palace, where Gudarz tells the story of the war over wine. The Shah praises Rostam, and the court feasts for a month.

  • B14.27.32
    Of Puladvand, Afrasiab’s retreat,The twisted kamand, wrestling, and defeat;
Puladvand named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B14.28

Rostam Returns to Sistan

After a month, Rostam asks leave to visit Zal. Kay Khosrow loads him with gifts and rides two stages beside him before Rostam goes home to Zabul. The poet closes the long tale of Kamus and announces the story of Rostam and Akvan Div.

  • B14.28.15
    I am glad: Puladvand adds no steel-bound woe;Now hear how Rostam met Akvan, his foe.
Puladvand named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
B14The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin37

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.