New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Horse · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Shabrangشبرنگ

shab-RANGalso Behzad

'Night-hued': Bijan's black horse, which he rides against the boars, to Manijeh's land and in the war of the Twelve Champions.

In the poem
First at B10.18, Giv and Kay Khosrow Go to Siavash-Gard; last at C3.46, Bijan Comes upon Gostaham
Named
20 times, in 14 sections
Main stories
B10 Vengeance for Siavash and the Retrieval of Kay Khosrow (11); C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (5); C2 The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh (4)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Shabrang most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Shabrang. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
B10.18

Giv and Kay Khosrow Go to Siavash-Gard

Khosrow rides Giv’s horse to Siavash-Gard. Farangis urges secret flight and tells her son how to win Behzad, Siavash’s black horse, which has run wild on the mountain since Siavash released it to wait for his son.

  • B10.18.20
    Show Behzad then the saddle, bridle black;If he grows tame, step gently on his track.
  • B10.18.23
    To Shabrang Behzad then Siavash said,‘From this day forth by no man’s will be led.
Shabrang named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B10.19

Kay Khosrow Wins Behzad

Behzad recognizes Siavash’s saddle and lets Khosrow mount, then vanishes like the wind, and Giv fears a trick of Ahriman. Khosrow returns and reads his thoughts. Farangis opens a hidden treasury, and Giv chooses Siavash’s armor.

  • B10.19.5
    He showed Behzad the saddle, bridle dark,In hope his purpose now would hit its mark.
  • B10.19.8
    Behzad stood rooted by the flowing tide,And from the watering-place he would not stride.
  • B10.19.10
    Brave Shabrang stood motionless in his place,And opened wide his eyes upon that face.
Shabrang named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B10.27

Giv Confronts the Toll-Man

Afrasiab sends Houman ahead to the Jihun. At the river the toll-man demands Giv’s mail, his black horse, the woman or the prince’s crown as the fare. Giv scorns him and praises his impenetrable armor.

  • B10.27.22
    Or take Shabrang Behzad, peerless in force,Who outstrips the wind; no swifter horse!
Shabrang named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B10.28

Kay Khosrow Crosses the Jihun

Trusting his farr, Khosrow prays and rides Behzad into the flooded Jihun, and all three cross safely. The amazed ferryman follows with gifts, which Giv refuses. Houman persuades Afrasiab not to pursue into Iran.

  • B10.28.14
    He rose, a morning star before their sight,Then mounted Shabrang, radiant and bright.
Shabrang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B10.36

Kay Khosrow’s Triumphant Return

The chiefs flock to Khosrow. Fariborz enthrones and crowns him. Tus lays down the drums, golden boots and banner and asks pardon; Khosrow laughs, forgives him and restores his command. Kavus comes out joyfully to meet his grandson.

  • B10.36.5
    He saw the prince and sprang down from his steed,While Khosrow left Shabrang with equal speed.
Shabrang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C2.3

Bijan Goes to Fight the Wild Boars

Bijan and Gorgin ride toward the forest, hunting with cheetahs and hawks along the way. Gorgin refuses any part in the fight, so Bijan goes in alone, kills the boars with his khanjar, and loads their heads and tusks to carry before the Shah.

  • C2.3.34
    He cut their heads off with the khanjar’s blow,And bound them to Shabrang’s proud saddle-bow.
Shabrang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C2.5

Bijan Seeks Manijeh

In the Irman meadows Gorgin reports that Manijeh has come. Bijan puts on his father’s crown and the jeweled gifts of his house, rides to the grove and watches the feast. Manijeh sees him, sends her nurse with questions, and after messages pass she invites him in.

  • C2.5.17
    They saddled Shabrang, noblest of the herd;He called for signet, belt, and arms to gird.
Shabrang named 1 time 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.

  • C2.8.14
    Shabrang is not with me, nor the swift bay;The very sun has turned from me today.
Shabrang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 14 sections that name Shabrang
  1. B10.18 Giv and Kay Khosrow Go to Siavash-Gard
  2. B10.19 Kay Khosrow Wins Behzad
  3. B10.27 Giv Confronts the Toll-Man
  4. B10.28 Kay Khosrow Crosses the Jihun
  5. B10.36 Kay Khosrow’s Triumphant Return
  6. C2.3 Bijan Goes to Fight the Wild Boars
  7. C2.5 Bijan Seeks Manijeh
  8. C2.8 Bijan Is Brought before Afrasiab
  9. C2.11 Gorgin Brings False Tidings of Bijan
  10. C3.12 News of Houman Reaches Bijan
  11. C3.14 Houman and Bijan Meet in Combat
  12. C3.15 Bijan Slays Houman
  13. C3.44 Bijan Follows Gostaham
  14. C3.46 Bijan Comes upon Gostaham

On the maps

C2.3–C2.10Bijan's Hunt, His Capture, and the Pit

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
B10Vengeance for Siavash and the Retrieval of Kay Khosrow11C2The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh4C3The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs5

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.