Object · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

khanjarخنجر

khan-JAR

A curved dagger.

In the poem: First at A5.9, Fereydoon Binds Zahhak; last at E8.5, The Death of Khosrow Parviz
Named: 119 times, in 98 sections
Main stories: C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (11); B8 The Tragedy of Rostam & Sohrab (9); B12 Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign (9)

In the poem’s own words

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

A6.12

Iraj Is Slain

Tur demands to know why the youngest should rule. Iraj gives up all claim to the crown and begs for peace, but Tur strikes him with a golden chair, stabs him and cuts off his head. The brothers send it, packed in musk, to Fereydoon.

A6.12.36
That poison-bright and sharpened khanjar toreThe Kayanian breast and opened up its core.
A6.12.39
With khanjar Tur then cut off his crowned head,From elephant-like body drenched in red.

khanjar named 2 times 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.

B8.21.8
He knew the youth would rise if left alive,And drew his khanjar lest he should revive.
B8.21.11
And every hair upon his body thenShall turn into a khanjar’s point again.
B8.21.100
He drew a water-blue khanjar bright,And meant to sever Hajir’s head outright.

khanjar named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B8.25

Tahmineh Hears of Sohrab’s Death

News of Sohrab’s death reaches Samangan. Tahmineh tears and burns her hair and embraces her son’s horse, arms and robe. She gives his wealth to the poor, mourns for a year and dies. Bahram the eloquent warns against loving what death takes.

B8.25.14
How could I know, my son, how you had died:Your father’s khanjar tore your liver-side?
B8.25.24
Before his khanjar tore your silver side,Why did cruel fate let truth remain denied?

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

B10.6

Surkha Marches against Rostam

Afrasiab opens his treasuries and sends his son Surkha against Faramarz. Faramarz defeats and captures him. Tus pleads for the young prince’s life, but Rostam has him killed with basin and khanjar, as Siavash was killed.

B10.6.58
Bring basin, khanjar; bind the captive’s hands,And coil the kamand round him in its bands.
B10.6.77
The khanjar fell and severed head from breast,And in a breath young Surkha sank to rest.

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

B14.23

Puladvand Battles Giv and Tus

Puladvand throws Tus from his saddle, catches Giv in his kamand, hurls down Rohham and Bijan, and slashes the Kaviani standard with his khanjar. The Iranians wail and call on Rostam. Old Gudarz, believing his sons and grandson dead, takes off his belt and cap.

B14.23.19
He reached the standard of Kaveh in war,And with his khanjar split it to the core.
B14.23.24
Puladvand has hurled our chiefs to the ground,With gorz, khanjar, shaft, and kamand swung around.

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

B14.25

Rostam Wrestles Puladvand

The champions wrestle. Afrasiab rides up to urge Puladvand to use his khanjar, despite his son Shideh’s protest. Giv warns Rostam, who is unmoved, lifts Puladvand and hurls him down. The Div, thought dead, leaps onto his horse and flees, and his army scatters.

B14.25.23
Then split his liver with your khanjar’s bite;We need no boasting, only deeds in fight.”
B14.25.28
He prompts him now, against the wrestling pact,To use his khanjar in the very act.”

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

C2.3

Bijan Goes to Fight the Wild Boars

Bijan and Gorgin ride toward the forest, hunting with cheetahs and hawks along the way. Gorgin refuses any part in the fight, so Bijan goes in alone, kills the boars with his khanjar, and loads their heads and tusks to carry before the Shah.

C2.3.26
Like a mad elephant he chased the boars,With tempered khanjar drawn amid their roars.
C2.3.32
He drove the khanjar to its head, straight through;Its elephant body was cleft in two.
C2.3.34
He cut their heads off with the khanjar’s blow,And bound them to Shabrang’s proud saddle-bow.

khanjar named 3 times 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.

C2.8.17
He always bore a khanjar in his boot,A water-tempered blade from hilt to root.
C2.8.25
With this same khanjar I shall take my tollOf Turan’s chiefs, and many a head shall roll.
C2.8.31
By pact he took the khanjar; and with speechAll oil and smoothness, bound him out of reach.