Character · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Shaghadشغاد

sha-GHAHD

Son of Zal by a serving maid, raised at the court of Kabul, who plots the death of his brother Rostam.

In the poem: First at C9.2, Rostam Comes to Kabul for His Brother; last at C9.6, Faramarz Avenges Rostam
Named: 24 times, in 5 sections
Main stories: C9 Rostam and Shaghad (24)
Parents: Zal
Spouses: The king of Kabul’s daughter
Plates: Vol II: VIII

Genealogical plate: The House of Sahm — Volume II, Plate VIII: The House of Sahm. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 5 sections that name Shaghad most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Shaghad. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

C9.2

Rostam Comes to Kabul for His Brother

A singing girl in Zal’s household bears Shaghad, whose horoscope foretells the ruin of Sahm’s line. Reared in Kabul and married to its king’s daughter, he resents the tribute Rostam still claims, and with the king he plots a feigned quarrel and a field of hidden pits.

C9.2.19
May joy and rest and goodness be our share.”He named him Shaghad as he closed his prayer.
C9.2.22
When tall Shaghad rose like a cypress tree,He rode with gorz and cast the kamand free.
C9.2.29
The king, when young Shaghad became his kin,Thought tribute soon would cease and joy begin.

Shaghad named 11 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C9.3

The Treachery of the Hunting-Ground

The pits are dug and planted with blades. The king of Kabul meets Rostam barefoot and is forgiven, then tempts him toward a hunting ground. Rakhsh smells the earth and balks; Rostam whips him forward, and both fall among the spears.

C9.3.1
When evil-starred Shaghad left Kabul’s bounds,The king rode swiftly to the hunting grounds.
C9.3.6
When Rostam set out, eager for the ride,Shaghad sent forth a horseman from his side:
C9.3.12
With both his cheeks in dust, he begged for graceFor what had passed in Shaghad’s grievous case.

Shaghad named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C9.4

The Death of Rostam

Rostam drags himself out of the pit, names Shaghad’s treachery, and recalls how Jamshid and Siavash died. He asks for his bow against lions; Shaghad hides behind a hollow plane tree, and one shaft pins him to it. Rostam dies giving thanks.

C9.4.2
When wounded Rostam opened up his eyes,He saw Shaghad, who plotted his demise.
C9.4.6
The vile Shaghad replied, “The heavens’ roundHas brought you justice, struck you to the ground.
C9.4.23
He said to foul Shaghad, “Since treacherous steelHas laid me here with wounds no hand can heal,

Shaghad named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C9.5

Zal Hears of Rostam’s Death

One rider carries the news to Zabul, where Zal mourns Rostam, Zavareh and Rakhsh. Faramarz finds Kabul deserted, has the bodies washed, perfumed and coffined, and brings them home, where Rostam is laid on golden thrones in a garden tomb.

C9.5.9
Accursed Shaghad, luckless in his birth,Has torn that royal tree up from the earth.

Shaghad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C9.6

Faramarz Avenges Rostam

Faramarz arms his father’s treasury and marches on Kabul. He takes the king captive, flays a strip from his back and hangs him head down in the pit, burns forty of his kin and then Shaghad with the plane tree, and installs a new ruler.

C9.6.25
He burned the forty kinsmen, one and all,Then sought Shaghad, the author of the fall.
C9.6.26
He raised a mountain fire that blazed around,And burned Shaghad, the plane tree, and the ground.

Shaghad named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes