Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Azar Abadaganآذرآبادگان

ah-zar ah-bah-da-GAHN

Azarbaijan, seat of the Azargashasp fire.

In the poem: First at B11.3, Kay Khosrow Surveys His Kingdom; last at E10.2, Sa’ad Invades, and Rostam Takes the Field
Named: 11 times, in 11 sections
Main stories: D10 The Bahram Goor Cycle: Justice, Foreign Adventures, and End of a Reign (2); D13 Anooshirvan and the Road to the End-time (2); E6 Khosrow Parviz (2)

In the poem’s own words

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

B11.3

Kay Khosrow Surveys His Kingdom

Kay Khosrow tours his kingdom with Rostam and the nobles, hunting, rebuilding ruined towns and scattering gold. He prays at the fire temple of Azargashasp in Azar Abadagan and then joins his grandfather Kavus.

B11.3.15
With nobles, freeborn chiefs in all their strength,He reached Azar Abadagan at length.

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

C4.40

Kay Khosrow Returns to His Grandfather

Kavus comes out of the city to meet his grandson and the two weep together. After a week of feasting and the paying of the army, Khosrow admits he cannot find Afrasiab; Kavus proposes prayer, and they spend a month at the fire of Azargashasp.

C4.40.60
Thus in Azar Abadagan they stayed,One month, with all their royal court arrayed.

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

D10.19

The Khan of Chin Invades Iran

Word spreads that Bahram neglects his frontiers, and the Khan of Chin invades. The nobles rage while the Shah keeps hunting and secretly arms. He leaves Narsi as regent and rides toward Azargashasp, and the frightened nobles send the Khan a letter of submission.

D10.19.35
He led his chosen soldiers on their wayTo Azar Abadagan without delay.

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

D10.22

Bahram Returns to Iran in Triumph

Bahram writes Narsi an account of the victory; Iran rejoices, and the nobles who had written to the Khan beg pardon through Narsi and are forgiven. The Shah worships at Azar Abadagan, scatters largess at Istakhr, repairs roads and bridges, and returns to Tisfoon.

D10.22.41
The Shah approached fair Azar Abadagan,With nobles and the chosen men of Iran.

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

D13.3

Anooshirvan’s Decree of Justice

The Shah divides the empire into four regions, then replaces the old share of the harvest with a land tax assessed by survey and paid in three installments, with relief for ruined crops and exemptions. Three ledgers record it. His decree to the collectors is read out.

D13.3.5
Azar Abadagan was in that share,Which noble men divided with due care.

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

D13.11

Anooshirvan Marches against Caesar

Anooshirvan takes counsel for three days, then marches with Kaveh’s banner. At Azargashasp’s fire-temple he prays and gives alms, writes to his border lords to keep watch, and appoints his commanders. He enforces strict discipline: no plunder, no harm to crops, no leaving one’s post.

D13.11.14
Toward Azar Abadagan he led the way,With nobles front and rear in close array.

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

E1.11

Anooshirvan Marches to Tisfoon

The Khan yields Sughd, Chakh and Samarkand and withdraws. The eastern lords come with gifts and recite the history of their sufferings. The Shah prays, gives alms, halts at the fire of Azargashasp on the way home, and sends bride and treasure on to Tisfoon.

E1.11.72
On to Azar Abadagan they rode;From every land fresh troops in numbers flowed.

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

E5.26

Bahram’s Letter and Khosrow’s Flight

Bahram’s letter renounces Hormizd and declares for Khosrow, hoping the father will kill the son. Hormizd, seeing letter and coins, orders Khosrow poisoned. Warned by a chamberlain, Khosrow flees to Azar Abadagan, where the frontier lords swear to him; Hormizd imprisons his kin.