Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Chakhچاچ

CHAHKH

A city of Transoxiana (Tashkent), famed for its bows.

In the poem: First at A6.15, The Birth of Manuchehr; last at E10.13, Bijan Marches against Mahwi
Named: 35 times, in 26 sections
Main stories: E1 The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters (11); C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (5); E6 Khosrow Parviz (3)

In the poem’s own words

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

A6.15

The Birth of Manuchehr

Iraj’s daughter bears a son. Fereydoon, blinded by weeping, regains his sight when he holds the child, whom he names Manuchehr. He raises him in splendor, gathers arms and treasure, and calls the champions of Iran together for vengeance.

A6.15.22
Roman jowshans and helmets stood arrayed,With bows from Chakh and khadang arrows laid.

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

B13.28

Rostam Battles Ashkabus

Ashkabus of Kashan beats Rohham in single combat. Rostam comes out on foot, mocks him and shoots his horse, then kills him with one arrow through the chest. The Khan, seeing the huge arrow, accuses Piran of hiding the enemy’s strength.

B13.28.42
He took the bow of Chakh within his hand,And set his thumbstall to the deer-hide strand.
B13.28.43
His left arm straight, his right drew back with might;The bow of Chakh cried out, its string drawn tight.

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

C4.14

Khosrow Crosses the Jihun

Khosrow crosses the Jihun, relieves the ruined marches of Sughd and rests a month. He orders mercy for Turks who submit and destruction for those who fight, and his troops raze strongholds for a hundred farsangs. At Gang, Afrasiab’s elders can advise only war.

C4.14.11
He sent to Chakh a force of high renown,Intent upon the Turks’ own throne and crown.
C4.14.21
The two crown-seeking champions left his side;One took the desert, one to Chakh would ride.

Chakh 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.

E1.4.6
That chief, with troops and treasure, crown and state,Was camped beyond Chakh, watchful, rich, and great.
E1.4.39
At Chakh the horsemen’s fury flamed and spread,And Gulzaryun’s waters turned rose-red.

Chakh 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.

E1.5.12
From Chakh, Chin, Turkistan, and Khutan’s groundThey gathered troops that knew no count or bound.
E1.5.20
The Khan is camped by Chakh in royal state,With crown and troops and treasure, proud and great.
E1.5.24
To Chakh and Kasan stretches my domain;Yet Chin grows bold across that border plain.

Chakh named 3 times 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.

E1.11.3
He yielded Sughd and Chakh, and Samarkand,Then sent his crown to Kachar Bashi’s land.
E1.11.15
Then nobles gathered from the lands around,From Chakh, Amuy, Khutan, on common ground.
E1.11.17
Chakh, Tarak, Samarkand, and Sughd’s wide plainLie desolate, where owls alone remain.

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

E5.11

Bahram Chubin Slays King Saveh

Bahram dreams of defeat, prays, and has his archers shoot the elephants’ trunks; the beasts turn and trample the Turks. He overtakes Saveh, shoots him through the spine, beheads him, and puts to death the warlock who confesses to sending the dream.

E5.11.77
He drew his sword and called, “Now string your bows,Your bows of Chakh, to meet these mighty foes.
E5.11.101
He took his Chakh bow in his practiced hand,And set his thumb against the deer-hide band.

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

E10.13

Bijan Marches against Mahwi

Bijan of Samarkand hears that Mahwi has taken the throne. Barsam tells how Mahwi used his troops at Marv, abandoned his own Shah in the field and then murdered him. Told that the royal line is finished, Bijan waits for Mahwi’s army to cross and meets it near Paykand.

E10.13.5
Then Barsam said, “O king, the mounted bandI led from Chakh went forth at my command.
E10.13.8
His crown and treasure, he declared, would goTo Chakh; all these he promised to bestow.
E10.13.40
So many gorzes, Chakh-forged axes rose;He grieved to see the numbers of his foes.