Object · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

tabiraتبیره

ta-bee-REH

A war drum.

In the poem: First at A5.9, Fereydoon Binds Zahhak; last at E10.9, Yazdegard Hides in the Mill
Named: 168 times, in 126 sections
Main stories: C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (14); E6 Khosrow Parviz (10); B14 The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin (9)

In the poem’s own words

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

A8.11

Manuchehr Hears of Zal and Rudabeh

Manuchehr learns of the match and fears that a child of Zahhak’s line may one day threaten the throne. He sends his son Nohzar to summon Sahm, who feasts the prince and rides for court, where the Shah’s army turns out to greet him.

A8.11.36
Red shields and yellow pressed in ordered rows,While tabira, pipe, bronze-cast cymbal rose.

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

B5.10

Kavus Wars with Mazandaran

The armies meet, and Rostam spears the boasting champion Juya out of the saddle. After a week of battle Kavus prays; Rostam then spears the sorcerer-king, who turns himself into a rock. Rostam carries it to camp, the king emerges and is killed, and Ulad receives Mazandaran.

tabira named 6 times 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.

B11.8.2
The tabira rang out at palace gate,And there the troops were called to congregate.
B11.8.106
Then Tus shall sound the ney for coming fight,As buq, koust, tabira wake the newborn light.

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

C4.15

Khosrow’s Second Battle with Afrasiab

Both armies form up at Gulzaryun and fight until they can barely stand. Khosrow prays face down behind his lines, and a wind rises that drives the dust into the Turanians, who break. Afrasiab beheads his own runaways and waits for morning.

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

C4.29

Afrasiab’s Night Attack Fails

Afrasiab attacks by night, but Khosrow has left his camp dark as bait: the raiders founder in the trench and are cut apart. Next day a dust-storm blinds the Turanians, Afrasiab hides his black banner and flees, and his abandoned army surrenders.

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

D5.15

Iskandar Fights the Army of Foor

The blazing iron horses panic Foor’s elephants and his army breaks. Next morning Iskandar proposes single combat; when a shout behind the lines turns Foor’s head, he strikes him dead. The Indians submit, are consoled, and Soorag is given Hind’s throne.

D5.15.39
A lion-hide tabira raised its roar;Beyond the clouds its voice was heard to soar.
D5.15.40
Karnay and tabira renewed their sound;The sky turned ebony, iron the ground.

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

D7.12

Shapur, Son of Ardeshir

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

E6.25

Soroush Saves Khosrow from Bahram

Bahram’s elephant is shot from under him and he fights on foot. Khosrow rides out with fourteen chosen men, who scatter; chased into a blind cave, he prays and is carried to safety by Soroush. Bahram, seeing it, despairs of his fortune, and Khosrow renews the battle.

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

All 126 sections that name tabira