Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, III

Chaghanچغان

cha-GHAHNalso Chaghaniyan

A land beyond the Oxus whose king Faghanish lends troops to Pirooz and whom the Heytalians later make their king. The text also has 'Chaghaniyan'.

In the poem: First at B13.18, Afrasiab Sends Aid to Piran; last at E1.11, Anooshirvan Marches to Tisfoon
Named: 12 times, in 9 sections
Main stories: E1 The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters (4); B13 Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign (2); D11 Short Reigns and a Crisis with Khoshnavaz (2)

In the poem’s own words

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

B13.18

Afrasiab Sends Aid to Piran

A messenger announces that Afrasiab has sent a vast allied army: the Khan of Chin, Manshur, Kamus of Kashan and kings from Kashmir to the Slav lands. Piran rejoices and boasts that he will lay waste all Iran.

B13.18.27
Chaghan sends Fartus, light of every field;Gahan sends Gahar, fire where foemen yield.

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

B13.27

Iran and Turan Set Their Battle Lines

Houman spots Rostam’s dragon banner and warns Piran, but Kamus scoffs. The allied army deploys around the Khan’s elephants. Rostam views the vast enemy from the mountain, marvels, and orders the Iranian advance, sparing the exhausted Rakhsh.

B13.27.72
From Kashan, Shakn, and Wahr their armies came,From Chaghan, Chin, Saklab, and Hind by name.

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

B14.14

The Khan Is Taken Prisoner

Under a storm of arrows, with Rohham guarding his back, Rostam sweeps enemy chiefs from their saddles with his kamand. The Khan sends a smooth-tongued envoy to ask for peace; Rostam snares the envoy, then drags the Khan from his white elephant. The poet reflects on fortune.

B14.14.35
From Chin and Shakn, Chaghan and Wahr they came;They bear no hatred and pursue no claim.

Chaghan 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.

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

D11.2

The Reign of Hormizd, Son of Yazdegard

Hormizd is crowned and Pirooz, enraged, carries treasure to Faghanish of Chaghan and buys thirty thousand Heytalian troops with the promise of two frontier towns. He defeats his brother in a long war, then spares and embraces him, and Hormizd blesses his victory.

D11.2.4
He came to Faghanish to seek his aid;Chaghan’s rich king had mighty troops arrayed.
D11.2.8
The king of Chaghan answered, “This is true;Your claim is royal; help to you is due.

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

D12.4

Qobad’s Escape and Flight to the Heytalians

Rizmehr strikes off Qobad’s fetters and the two ride east with five confidants. At a village near Ahvaz Qobad marries a dehqan’s daughter, leaves her his signet, and goes on to the Heytalian king, who lends him forty thousand horsemen for the promise of Chaghaniyan.

D12.4.26
If throne and treasure once again are won,Chaghaniyan is mine when all is done.
D12.4.28
Qobad then smiled and answered to his claim:“To me Chaghaniyan is but a name.

Chaghan named 2 times 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.

E1.4.75
The lord who rules Chaghaniyan, just and brave,Whose prudent mind our broken realm may save.
E1.4.80
In Chaghaniyan dwelt a lord of worth,Young, wise, just, fortunate, of noble birth.

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

E1.5

Anooshirvan Marches against the Khan

The Shah’s council urges caution: the Heytalians deserve their ruin for Pirooz’s blood, but Rum may strike while the Shah is in the east. He rebukes them for growing soft on banquets, and at the new moon leads the army out of Madain toward Gorgan.