New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Character · The Shahnameh · Volume I

Tazhavتژاو

ta-ZHAHV

A Turanian commander, whose beloved is Espanoye.

In the poem
First at B11.6, Kay Khosrow Honors the Pahlevans; last at B12.25, Giv Avenges Bahram
Named
48 times, in 6 sections
Main stories
B12 Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign (45); B11 Kay Khosrow’s Kingship (3)

In the poem’s own words

The 6 sections that name Tazhav most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Tazhav. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
B11.6

Kay Khosrow Honors the Pahlevans

Kay Khosrow opens his treasury and sets prizes for feats of war: Palashan’s head, Tazhav’s crown, the capture of Tazhav’s companion Espanoye, Tazhav’s head, the burning of Afrasiab’s timber barrier and an embassy to Afrasiab. Bijan, Giv and Gorgin claim them.

  • B11.6.22
    The monarch said: “These gifts belong to oneWho brings me Tazhav’s crown, the deed well done.
  • B11.6.29
    The ruler said: “These gifts belong to oneWho fears not Tazhav when the fight is begun.
  • B11.6.45
    These gifts are for the man whose arm in fightCan bring fierce Tazhav down beneath his might.
Tazhav named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.16

Bahram Captures Kabuda

Tus marches to Gorugard, home of the Turanian march-lord Tazhav, who sends Kabuda to scout the Iranian camp by night. Bahram, on watch, shoots him, questions him and kills him despite his plea for quarter. When Kabuda fails to return, Tazhav marches out.

  • B12.16.4
    There dwelt at Gorugard a warrior bold,Tazhav the warrior renowned of old.
  • B12.16.8
    Kabuda was his name, a man of skill,Well suited to the task and Tazhav’s will.
  • B12.16.9
    Tazhav addressed him: “Go, unseen, tonight,And find where Iran camps beyond our sight.
Tazhav named 8 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.17

The Iranians Battle Tazhav

Giv offers Tazhav, an Iranian by birth, safe conduct if he submits. Tazhav refuses; Bijan starts the battle, routs the Turanians and snatches Tazhav’s crown. Tazhav flees with Espanoye behind him, then leaves her when his horse tires. Bijan brings her to camp, and the Iranians seize Tazhav’s herds.

  • B12.17.2
    Tazhav the chieftain led his warriors out,While from the watchmen rose the warning shout:
  • B12.17.8
    Bold Tazhav answered, fearless, without pause:“I have a lion’s heart, a lion’s claws.
  • B12.17.9
    Tazhav am I; the world has heard my name,At every breath they grant me what I claim.
Tazhav named 16 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.

  • B12.18.1
    When Tazhav came with tearful eyes and griefBefore Afrasiab, the Turanian chief,
  • B12.18.14
    The right he gave to Barman, brave and wise,And Tazhav, whose men matched elephants in size.
Tazhav named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.24

Tazhav Slays Bahram

Piran hears of Bahram and offers him friendship and rank if he will stay, but refuses him a horse home. Bahram fights on. Tazhav leads a crowd of warriors against him and, when Bahram’s strength fails, cuts off his arm from behind.

  • B12.24.38
    Then Tazhav came, whose strength no elephant bore,And asked what words with Bahram passed before.
  • B12.24.42
    Tazhav replied: “Your love will not prevail;Such gentle counsel cannot turn his trail.
  • B12.24.45
    When Tazhav saw Bahram with spear held high,He roared like a mad elephant beneath the sky:
Tazhav named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.25

Giv Avenges Bahram

Giv and Bijan find Bahram dying. Giv catches Tazhav with his kamand at night and drags him before Bahram, who asks that his killer be spared. Giv beheads him anyway, then grieves. Bahram dies and is laid in a tomb with a crown hung above him.

  • B12.25.11
    Avenge me upon Tazhav, that fierce bull;Let lion-claws repay his deed in full.
  • B12.25.14
    Then faithless Tazhav struck with treacherous might,Forgetful of his lineage and right.”
  • B12.25.19
    When over earth the evening darkness grew,Tazhav from outpost watch and war withdrew.
Tazhav named 14 times 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.
B11Kay Khosrow’s Kingship3B12Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign45

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.