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Character · The Shahnameh · Volume I

Tokhvarتخوار

tokh-VAHR

Forood’s counselor, who knows the Iranian champions by sight.

In the poem
First at B12.3, News of Tus Reaches Forood; last at B12.11, Bijan Battles Forood
Named
20 times, in 8 sections
Main stories
B12 Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign (20)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Tokhvar most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Tokhvar. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
B12.3

News of Tus Reaches Forood

Forood, son of Siavash and Piran’s daughter Jarireh, hears that an Iranian army is coming and drives his herds into the mountain. Jarireh urges him to join Kay Khosrow in avenging Siavash, and to seek out Bahram and Zangeh, his father’s old companions.

  • B12.3.3
    Then Tokhvar said: “Your brother’s force draws near,From Iran’s land, with vengeance sharp and clear.
  • B12.3.46
    Go now with Tokhvar as your only aide;No greater company should be arrayed.
  • B12.3.48
    Brave Tokhvar knows Iran’s great men and small,And knows their names and stations, one and all.
Tokhvar named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.4

Forood and Tokhvar Survey the Troops

Forood and his tutor Tokhvar climb a peak to watch the Iranian army pass, and Tokhvar names each chief by his banner. Seeing the two watchers, Tus orders a rider to bring them down, or to kill them if they are spies.

  • B12.4.1
    With young Forood, wise Tokhvar rode beside, A youth whom cruel fortune long had tried.
  • B12.4.13
    Then Tokhvar scanned the army from the height:“I shall name every chief and standard right.
  • B12.4.36
    Thus Tokhvar named each chief and battle sign,Explaining all their order and design.
Tokhvar named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.5

Bahram Meets Forood on the Mountain

Bahram rides up the mountain. Forood answers his threats courteously, names him, and proves who he is by Siavash’s birthmark. He invites the chiefs to a week’s feast before they march together, but Bahram warns that Tus is proud and may refuse.

  • B12.5.4
    Forood then said to Tokhvar standing by:“Who is this man that climbs so boldly high?
Tokhvar named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.7

Forood Slays Rivniz

Rivniz rides up the mountain. Tokhvar names him as Tus’s son-in-law, the only brother of forty sisters, and advises Forood to shoot. Forood’s arrow pins Rivniz’s helmet to his head, and he falls dead.

  • B12.7.4
    He said to old Tokhvar: “Tus mocks my word;This rider is no Bahram, as I heard.
  • B12.7.7
    Then Tokhvar said: “That rider, battle-famed,Is Rivniz, for his horsemanship acclaimed.
  • B12.7.13
    Speak now, old Tokhvar, weathered still in strife;What counsel gives your long experience in life?”
Tokhvar named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.8

Forood Slays Zarasp

Tus sends his own son Zarasp, whose wife is Rivniz’s sister, to avenge Rivniz. Tokhvar identifies him, and Forood’s arrow pins him to his saddle. His riderless horse gallops back down the mountain.

  • B12.8.6
    Then Forood, lion-hearted in his rage,Spoke now to Tokhvar, battle-seasoned sage:
  • B12.8.8
    Tokhvar replied: “Zarasp is this one’s name,The son of Tus, a warrior known to fame.
Tokhvar named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.9

Tus Battles Forood

Tus climbs the mountain himself. Tokhvar urges Forood to retreat, then to shoot Tus’s horse rather than the commander. Tus walks back in disgrace while the fortress women jeer, and Giv declares that the prince must answer for the shame.

  • B12.9.6
    Then Tokhvar spoke: “A mountain storms this way,In fury climbing upward to the fray.
  • B12.9.13
    Then Tokhvar, rich in wisdom, answered clear:“Wise kings do not reject advice they hear.
  • B12.9.25
    But Tokhvar said: “Before you make your stand,Now hear the course that wisdom would command.
Tokhvar named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.10

Giv Battles Forood

Giv climbs the mountain, and Forood kills his horse. When Bijan mocks his father, Giv strikes him with his whip. Bijan swears revenge, borrows a horse from Gostaham, and rides up in Siavash’s mail, which Giv sends him.

  • B12.10.3
    At sight of Giv, Forood a cold sigh drew,Then turned to Tokhvar, asking what he knew:
  • B12.10.10
    Then Tokhvar cast his gaze across the plain,And answered him in measured, somber strain:
Tokhvar named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.11

Bijan Battles Forood

Tokhvar warns that Bijan, Giv’s only son, wears Siavash’s mail. Forood kills his horse, but Bijan climbs on foot, takes another arrow on his shield and cuts down Forood’s horse at the gate. Forood escapes inside, and Tus swears to destroy him.

  • B12.11.1
    Forood said to Tokhvar: “Another chiefHas climbed the mountain, bold in his belief.
Tokhvar 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.
B12Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign20

More in the Glossary and the index of characters.