Object · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

khaftanخفتان

khaf-TAHN

A padded quilted war-coat worn under or instead of mail.

In the poem: First at B7.4, Afrasiab Flees the Battlefield; last at D6.10, Ardeshir Fights the Kurds and Is Defeated
Named: 31 times, in 25 sections
Main stories: B8 The Tragedy of Rostam & Sohrab (8); B13 Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign (5); B14 The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin (5)

In the poem’s own words

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

B7.4

Afrasiab Flees the Battlefield

Rostam pursues Afrasiab and casts his kamand, but the king ducks free and escapes across the river. Two-thirds of his army is lost. The Iranians gather the spoils, report that none of their chiefs fell, and return to Kavus after two more weeks of hunting.

B7.4.16
There sword and khaftan, helm and jewels gleamed,Amid the wealth that from the battle streamed.

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

B8.6

Sohrab Chooses His Charger

Sohrab needs a horse strong enough to carry him. He tests the herds, pressing many to the ground, until a warrior offers a colt of Rakhsh’s line. Sohrab mounts it, and his grandfather equips him royally for the march on Iran.

B8.6.35
He gave a battle khaftan, weapons bright,And marveled at the milk-fed warrior’s might.

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

B8.9

Sohrab Fights with Gordafarid

Gordafarid, daughter of Gazhdaham, arms herself like a man and challenges the invaders. She holds Sohrab off with arrows and spear until he tears off her helmet and ropes her. She talks him into releasing her, slips into the fortress and mocks him from the walls.

B8.9.14
He donned his khaftan, set his helmet right,And rushed at once to meet her in the fight.

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

B8.18

Rostam and Sohrab Meet in Combat

Rostam and Sohrab fight with short spears, swords, gorz and arrows, then grapple, but neither can unseat the other. Sohrab strikes Rostam’s shoulder and mocks his age. Each then ravages the other’s army, and they part at nightfall to fight again at dawn.

B8.18.23
Jowshan, khaftan, Babr-e Bayan turned each course;No arrow pierced the armor with its force.
B8.18.42
“This newly risen Turk in khaftan strong,With arms like these, will bring us harm before long.”
B8.18.45
His spearpoint, khaftan, hands were red with blood;Hunt-drunk he seemed amid that crimson flood.

khaftan named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B12.23

Bahram Returns to Seek His Whip

Bahram has lost his whip, with his name on it, on the battlefield. Refusing Giv’s offer of seven jeweled whips, he rides back by moonlight, binds a wounded comrade and finds the whip, but his horse bolts. He wounds it in anger and fights off a hundred Turanians on foot.

B12.23.28
The body of Rivniz lay drowned in gore,His khaftan torn, his beauty seen no more.
B12.23.47
In helm and khaftan, sweat upon his face,He hurried hard to catch it in the chase.

khaftan named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B14.13

Rostam Slays Gahar of Gahan

On the left wing, Gahar rides out against Rostam, loses his nerve and flees, and Rostam spears him and hurls him down. Calling up a thousand men, Rostam threatens any deserter with disgrace, charges towards the Khan and demands the surrender of the allied kings.

B14.13.13
He speared him, pierced the girdle of his foe,And tore his khaftan and fastenings with the blow.

khaftan named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B14.24

Rostam Battles Puladvand

Rostam rides against Puladvand and answers his taunts with contempt. A blow of the gorz stuns the Div but does not kill him. Rostam prays for victory only if his cause is just. When no weapon can pierce either man, they agree to wrestle, with no one to interfere.

B14.24.50
He said, “Put off your babr and khaftan here,Your dark helm too; take other battle-gear.
B14.24.54
Against his babr, no weapon could prevail;Each stroke against his khaftan’s steel would fail.

khaftan named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D6.10

Ardeshir Fights the Kurds and Is Defeated

Ardeshir attacks the Kurds, is beaten, and escapes with a handful of men to a shepherds’ fire on a mountain, where he sleeps on his khaftan. Guided down to the villages, he sends word to his court, learns the Kurds think him finished, and picks eleven thousand men.

D6.10.16
He ate a little of their fare, at ease,Then drew his khaftan off in night’s cool breeze.
D6.10.17
He spread his khaftan out to make his bed;His royal helmet lay beneath his head.

khaftan named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

All 25 sections that name khaftan