New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Object · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

changچنگ

CHANG

A harp.

In the poem
First at B9.31, Siavash Yields Command to Bahram; last at C2.18, The Pahlevans Feast with Khosrow
Named
11 times, in 10 sections
Main stories
C2 The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh (7); B9 The Story of Siavash (2); B12 Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign (1)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name chang most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name chang. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
B9.31

Siavash Yields Command to Bahram

Siavash writes a last bitter letter to Kavus, hands the army and treasure to Bahram, and crosses the Jihun with three hundred riders. Piran meets him in splendor, weeps with him, and pledges his wealth, his kin and his protection.

  • B9.31.64
    The chang and rabab filled the streets with song,And woke the sleeping as the notes rolled long.
chang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B9.38

Afrasiab Grants Siavash a Province

Afrasiab grants Siavash a vast province reaching to the Sea of Chin, with a crown, a throne and a written deed. A year later the prince tours his lands with Farangis, rests at Piran’s seat in Khutan, and chooses a site for a city.

  • B9.38.36
    The chang and ney together rang with force,Each heart seemed driven from its settled course.
chang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.26

The Iranians Return to Khosrow

The surviving Iranians agree to withdraw and await the Shah’s command, and retreat over the Kasa Rud. Piran takes the empty field and divides the spoils. Afrasiab welcomes him in triumph, loads him with gifts, and warns him to stay alert while Rostam lives.

  • B12.26.28
    Within the eyvan music rose in streams,As chang and rabab sounded two weeks’ themes.
chang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B13.11

The Retreat to Mount Hamavan

The Turanians celebrate through the night while the Iranians tend their wounded and mourn. Gudarz grieves for his slain sons and grandsons, and Tus curses his fate. They bury the dead, send word to Khosrow and march for Mount Hamavan.

  • B13.11.7
    Before their tents, the chang and rabab rang,And through the sleepless night their music sang.
chang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C2.1

The Prelude

On a night of total blackness the poet, sleepless and low, calls for a candle, wine and music. His companion offers to tell him an old tale of contrivance, love and magic out of a Pahlavi book if he will put it into verse. He agrees, and begins.

  • C2.1.20
    Set it before me; spread the banquet board,Then take the chang, and let the wine be poured.”
  • C2.1.22
    She brought a goblet fit for royal state,Then poured the wine and touched the chang till late.
chang named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C2.2

Irman’s People Appeal to Khosrow

Khosrow is feasting with his champions when envoys from the Irman marches beg help against giant boars ruining their fields. He offers treasure to whoever will go, and only Bijan volunteers. Giv protests that his son is too young, and Khosrow sends Gorgin as guide.

  • C2.2.10
    A ruby cup, wine-brimming, he held fast;His heart and ear upon the chang were cast.
chang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C2.6

Bijan Goes to Manijeh’s Tent

Manijeh clasps Bijan, unbinds his girdle, has him bathed in musk and rosewater, and clears the tent for a feast of music, wine and scattered gold. Three days and nights pass in gladness, and then sleep and drink take him.

  • C2.6.10
    The serving-women stood upon their feet,With barbat, chang, and songs of music sweet.
chang 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.

  • C2.8.2
    The cry of chang, the clamor of rabab,Came from the palace of Afrasiab.
chang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 10 sections that name chang
  1. B9.31 Siavash Yields Command to Bahram
  2. B9.38 Afrasiab Grants Siavash a Province
  3. B12.26 The Iranians Return to Khosrow
  4. B13.11 The Retreat to Mount Hamavan
  5. C2.1 The Prelude
  6. C2.2 Irman’s People Appeal to Khosrow
  7. C2.6 Bijan Goes to Manijeh’s Tent
  8. C2.8 Bijan Is Brought before Afrasiab
  9. C2.16 Giv Is Feasted by Rostam
  10. C2.18 The Pahlevans Feast with Khosrow

On the maps

B9.31–B9.32Siavash Crosses the Jihun into Exile

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
B9The Story of Siavash2B12Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign1B13Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign1C2The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh7

More in the Glossary and the index of objects.