Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Bukharaبخارا

bo-khah-RAH

A city of Transoxiana.

In the poem: First at B9.23, Siavash’s Treaty with Afrasiab; last at E10.13, Bijan Marches against Mahwi
Named: 13 times, in 13 sections
Main stories: C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (3); E1 The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters (3); E10 Yazdegard (3)

In the poem’s own words

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

B9.23

Siavash’s Treaty with Afrasiab

Siavash gives Garsivaz his terms: a hundred of Afrasiab’s kin as hostages, the return of Iranian towns and a withdrawal to Turan. Afrasiab reluctantly agrees, sends the men Rostam named and pulls his army back from Bukhara, Sughd and Samarkand to Gang.

B9.23.30
From fair Bukhara, Sughd, and Samarkand,From Chakh and Sipanjab, he drew his hand.

Bukhara named 1 time 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.

C3.20.37
Shingan and Tirmid, Visagard I yield,Bukhara and the towns around its field.

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

C4.3

Afrasiab Hears of Piran’s Death

At Baikand, Afrasiab learns that Piran, Lahhak and Farshidvard are dead. He mourns, throws down his crown, swears to live as a soldier until he is avenged, pays his troops, leaves Qarakhan in Bukhara, ferries his army over the Jihun and ranks his sons for battle.

C4.3.76
He bade him in Bukhara hold his ground,A mountain at his father’s back be found.

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

C4.13

Afrasiab Flees to Gang-Behesht

Afrasiab reaches Qarakhan’s army and mourns his dead. His counselors advise withdrawal across the Gulzaryun, and he goes to Gang-Behesht, where he hunts, feasts and drinks among gardens until his agents report that Khosrow has crossed the Jihun.

C4.13.6
He lingered in Bukhara, sunk in woe,To wait for lions who would face the foe.

Bukhara named 1 time 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.

C4.39.15
He marched from there toward famed Bukhara’s wall,While troops concealed the earth from sight of all.

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

D10.21

Bahram Marks the Frontier and Crowns Shahra

Bahram crosses the river, breaks the Turkish army beyond it, and accepts tribute and hostages when their chiefs plead for the guiltless. He raises a stone pillar to mark the frontier, forbids crossings without his consent, and crowns Shahra king of Turan.

D10.21.2
He chose Bukhara for his next attack,And set his feet upon the warlike track.

Bukhara 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.

D10.22.37
From Chaghan, Khatlan, Balkh, and Bukhara then,The chieftains came with tribute, gifts, and men.

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

E1.4

Ghatfar Defeated, Faghanish Crowned

The Khan of Chin sends gifts to Anooshirvan, and Ghatfar the Heytalian intercepts and kills the envoy. The Khan marches; after a week’s battle near Bukhara the Heytalians break. Their people resolve to seek Iran’s protection, and crown Faghanish of Chaghaniyan.