New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Object · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

khadangخدنگ

kha-DANG

An arrow of fine poplar wood.

In the poem
First at A6.15, The Birth of Manuchehr; last at D10.30, Bahram Slays the Wolf for Shangul
Named
12 times, in 12 sections
Main stories
B14 The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin (2); C2 The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh (2); C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (2)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name khadang most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name khadang. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
A6.15

The Birth of Manuchehr

Iraj’s daughter bears a son. Fereydoon, blinded by weeping, regains his sight when he holds the child, whom he names Manuchehr. He raises him in splendor, gathers arms and treasure, and calls the champions of Iran together for vengeance.

  • A6.15.22
    Roman jowshans and helmets stood arrayed,With bows from Chakh and khadang arrows laid.
khadang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A8.14

Zal Going as an Envoy before Manuchehr

Sahm dictates a letter to Manuchehr recalling his long service, above all his slaying of the dragon of the Kashaf River. Pleading old age, he hands his command to Zal and asks the Shah to judge Zal’s love kindly. Zal sets out for court with the letter.

  • A8.14.37
    I set a khadang, diamond at its head,And drew the bow until the shaft was sped.
khadang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B9.43

Piran Visits Siavash-Gard

Returning from his campaign, Piran visits Siavash-Gard, marvels at the city and at Farangis, and feasts there for a week. At Afrasiab’s court he reports the tribute he has gathered and praises Siavash’s city in glowing terms, to the king’s delight.

  • B9.43.27
    With dinars, steeds, and saddles of khadang,With golden gear and leopard skins that hang.
khadang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B14.2

Chingish Faces Rostam

Chingish volunteers to avenge Kamus and rides out shooting arrows at Rostam. Seeing the hero and Rakhsh, he loses heart and flees; Rostam catches his horse by the tail, throws him down, ignores his plea for mercy and beheads him.

  • B14.2.11
    He neared Iran’s ranks, where the warriors stood,Drew from his quiver a shaft of khadang wood.
khadang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B14.14

The Khan Is Taken Prisoner

Under a storm of arrows, with Rohham guarding his back, Rostam sweeps enemy chiefs from their saddles with his kamand. The Khan sends a smooth-tongued envoy to ask for peace; Rostam snares the envoy, then drags the Khan from his white elephant. The poet reflects on fortune.

  • B14.14.8
    With bows of Chakh and khadang shafts attack;Guard peerless Rostam’s battle-hardened back.”
khadang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C1.3

Rostam’s Quest for the Div

Rostam rides to the pasture and on the fourth day finds the golden creature. His kamand and then his arrow fall on empty ground, and he knows it is Akvan in a gur’s skin. Worn out with searching, he waters Rakhsh at a spring and lies down armed.

  • C1.3.23
    He loosed the saddle-girth, and for his bedHe laid the khadang bow beneath his head.
khadang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C2.11

Gorgin Brings False Tidings of Bijan

Gorgin searches a week, finds only Bijan’s riderless horse and turns home in fear. Giv rides out to meet him and collapses in grief. Gorgin invents a marvelous Gur-e-Khar that carried Bijan away; Giv sees through the lie but waits for the Shah’s justice.

  • C2.11.20
    That bay was kept against the day of need;They laid the khadang saddle on the steed.
khadang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C2.25

Rostam Attacks Afrasiab’s Palace by Night

Rostam and seven chiefs break the palace door at night, cut down the guards and taunt Afrasiab from the passage. The king raises the alarm and then flees; the Iranians strip the palace and ride hard to rejoin the baggage.

  • C2.25.26
    With khadang saddles clad in leopard hide,And jeweled fittings gleaming at each side.
khadang named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 12 sections that name khadang
  1. A6.15 The Birth of Manuchehr
  2. A8.14 Zal Going as an Envoy before Manuchehr
  3. B9.43 Piran Visits Siavash-Gard
  4. B14.2 Chingish Faces Rostam
  5. B14.14 The Khan Is Taken Prisoner
  6. C1.3 Rostam’s Quest for the Div
  7. C2.11 Gorgin Brings False Tidings of Bijan
  8. C2.25 Rostam Attacks Afrasiab’s Palace by Night
  9. C3.14 Houman and Bijan Meet in Combat
  10. C3.25 Giv’s Horse Falters before Piran
  11. C6.32 Esfandiyar Reaches Goshtasb
  12. D10.30 Bahram Slays the Wolf for Shangul

On the maps

C1.3–C1.5Rostam and the Div Akvan

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
A6The First Kings: Fereydoon1A8The Story of Zal and Rudabeh1B9The Story of Siavash1B14The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin2C1Rostam and the Div Akvan1C2The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh2C3The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs2C6Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp1D10The Bahram Goor Cycle: Justice, Foreign Adventures, and End of a Reign1

More in the Glossary and the index of objects.