Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Balkhبلخ

BALKH

A great city of Khorasan, Iran's frontier base against Turan; later Lohrasp's seat, with the Nowbahar fire temple.

In the poem: First at B6.8, Kavus Sets the World in Order; last at E10.12, Mahwi of Sur Takes the Throne
Named: 59 times, in 44 sections
Main stories: C6 Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp (19); B9 The Story of Siavash (10); E5 Hormizd, Son of Anooshirvan (7)

In the poem’s own words

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

B9.16

Siavash Leads the Army

Kavus equips twelve thousand horsemen and twelve thousand foot under the Kaviani banner and parts from Siavash in tears. After a month in Zabulistan, Siavash and Rostam march by Herat to Balkh, defeat the forces of Garsivaz and take the city.

B9.16.37
They came to Balkh; no bitter word he spoke,No harshness there his measured conduct broke.
B9.16.50
Beside the gates of Balkh the armies met,And closed in battle where their lines were set.

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

B9.17

Siavash’s Letter to Kavus

From Balkh, Siavash has a letter written on silk in musk and rosewater. After praising God, it reports his victory: the Turks have fled across the Jihun, and Afrasiab waits in Sughd. He asks leave to cross the river and attack.

B9.17.1
Siavash in Balkh, his army in array,Called for a scribe to write the Shah that day.
B9.17.9
“By your royal farr I came to Balkh in cheer,Victorious, with fortune shining clear.

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

C3.5

Giv’s Visit to Piran

Giv finds Piran at Visagard; the two sides talk for two weeks beside the Jihun and settle nothing. Piran reports to Afrasiab, receives thirty thousand more men, hardens, refuses every term, and moves his army to Kanabad.

C3.5.1
Giv rode to Balkh, his father’s words in mind,Those bitter words he would not leave behind.
C3.5.3
That night he rode from Balkh to Visagard,With all the troops he summoned, riding hard.
C3.5.6
The messenger before old Piran said,“Giv has reached Balkh with captains at his head.”

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

C3.20

Piran’s Letter to Gudarz

Alarmed by Iran’s mobilization, Piran writes to Gudarz offering peace: every province from Sistan to Sughd returned, treasure and hostages sent, or else the war decided by paired champions. His son Ruyin carries the letter, and Gudarz feasts him for a week without answering.

C3.20.32
Then Talikan to Fariyab shall stand,And Balkh to Andarab, within your hand;
C3.20.35
From Balkh as far as bright Badakhshan’s height,Where signs of royal sway are brought to light,

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

C4.39

Khosrow’s Return from Turan

Khosrow leaves Gostaham to govern from Chin’s sea to Kibchak and starts home with a treasure-train ten days long. He halts at Chakh, Sughd and Bukhara, weeps at an ancient fire temple, crosses the Jihun, and moves by Balkh, Nishapur and Rey toward Pars.

C4.39.21
He crossed the Jihun, reaching Balkh the great,Well taught by all the changes of his fate.
C4.39.22
A month in Balkh he stayed with his array;The month complete, he marched upon his way.

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

C6.25

Arjasp Prepares the Second War

Goshtasb takes the Faith to Sistan, where Rostam and Zal welcome him and accept it, and stays two years feasting. Kings fall away from a Shah who chained his son. Bahman visits his father’s prison. Arjasp, informed by the spy Situh that Balkh is defenseless, musters again.

C6.25.21
He crossed the desert and the Jihun’s flow;From Balkh to Zabul did the monarch go.
C6.25.23
Lohrasp remains in Balkh, with none to fightExcept the men who serve the sacred light:
C6.25.36
The spy set forth upon his secret way,And reached illustrious Balkh without delay.

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

C6.27

Lohrasp Falls at Balkh

Arjasp sends Kuhram to burn Balkh and kill Esfandiyar in his chains. Lohrasp, old and with only market men to help, arms and fights until the Turks surround and kill him. They sack Balkh, burn the Zand-Avesta and slaughter eighty priests at the fire.

C6.27.5
Make haste to Balkh, whose name has darkened allOur days and turned our hopes to bitter gall.
C6.27.20
As they drew near to Balkh, they spoke with gall;Lohrasp heard Kuhram’s name and grieved for all.
C6.27.25
In Balkh no chief or gorz-armed horseman stayed;A thousand from the market came to aid.

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

C6.28

News of Lohrasp’s Death Reaches Goshtasb

Goshtasb’s wife rides to Sistan in Turkish disguise with the news: Lohrasp killed, Balkh sacked, the fire quenched, Homahyi and Bih Afrid led away in chains. Goshtasb summons his Pahlevans and marches to Balkh, where three days of battle kill thirty-eight of his sons.

C6.28.6
She said, “Why have you lingered here so long?Why leave famed Balkh exposed to grief and wrong?
C6.28.8
All Balkh is filled with plunder, death, and cries;Return at once, O king, and swiftly rise.”
C6.28.26
He gave them pay and marched from Sistan’s land,And took the road to Balkh with force in hand.