Object · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

buqبوق

BOOGH

A horn or trumpet.

In the poem: First at B6.1, Kavus Wars with Hamavaran; last at C7.7, The Snow of the Sixth Stage
Named: 14 times, in 14 sections
Main stories: B6 The Folly of Kay Kavus (3); B12 Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign (3); B9 The Story of Siavash (2)

In the poem’s own words

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

B6.1

Kavus Wars with Hamavaran

Kavus tours his empire from Turan and Chin to Makran, defeats the king of Barbar, receives homage at Mount Kaf and feasts with Rostam in Zabul. When Mesr and Sham rebel, he crosses the sea and defeats the allied kings; Hamavaran submits.

B6.1.5
Makran was decked like bride in bright array,With ney, buq, and koust to mark the day.

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

B6.4

Afrasiab Invades Iran

With the Shah a captive, Iran lies leaderless. Arab raiders and Afrasiab both invade; Afrasiab defeats the Arabs after three months and seizes Iran. Refugees beg Zal for help, and Rostam, learning of Kavus’s capture, gathers troops from Zabul, Kabul and Hind.

B6.4.32
The buq resounded; Hind’s daray replied,While boiling ranks surged over every side.

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

B6.7

Kavus’s Message to Afrasiab

Kavus seeks troops from Rum, and loyal Iranians report that they have resisted Afrasiab. Kavus orders Afrasiab out of Iran; Afrasiab claims the throne by descent from Tur and by conquest. In the battle that follows the Turanians are routed and Afrasiab flees home.

B6.7.44
The buq and koust resounded far and high,The earth seemed iron, ebony the sky.

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

B8.21

The Tragedy of Sohrab

Rostam throws Sohrab and stabs him. Dying, Sohrab warns that his father will avenge him, and the token on his arm reveals the truth. Sohrab asks mercy for his army and for Hajir. Rostam nearly kills Hajir and then himself, and Gudarz restrains him.

B8.21.50
Then Kavus bade the buq and koust ring loud,And summoned Tus as dread swept through the crowd.

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

B9.4

Siavash Arrives from Zabulistan

Tus, Giv and Rostam escort Siavash to court, where Kavus embraces him, thanks God and holds seven days of feasting. After testing his son for seven years, the Shah gives him a crown, a charter and the rule of Khorshan, now called Mawarannahr.

B9.4.2
He sent out Tus and Giv with joyful sound,With buq and koust that shook the fields around.

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

B9.26

Kavus Dispatches Rostam to Sistan

Kavus accuses Rostam of talking Siavash out of vengeance, strips him of command and gives the army to Tus. Rostam retorts that if Tus counts as Rostam, he may as well be dead, and rides off in fury to Sistan.

B9.26.16
Tus left the court and called the troops to go;The buq and koust resounded, loud and low.

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

B11.2

Iran’s Nobles Honor Kay Khosrow

The new Shah restores justice and prosperity and summons his great men. Rostam and Zal come from Nimruz with the chiefs of Kabul. Kay Khosrow weeps to see the man who raised his father, and Rostam sees Siavash in the young king’s face.

B11.2.28
The buq cried out together with the koust,At center rode brave Giv, Gudarz, and Tus.

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

B11.8

Kay Khosrow Inspects the Army

Kay Khosrow reviews the army from a throne on an elephant. Clan after clan passes under its banner: Fariborz, Gudarz and his sons, Gostaham, Ashkash, Farhad, Guraza, Zangeh and Faramarz, whom the Shah sends to Hind with counsel. At the feast Khosrow reflects on the passing world.