Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Chinچین

CHEEN

China, or the lands of Central Asia beyond Turan, ruled by the Khan and the Faghfoor.

In the poem: First at A0.12, Praise for Sultan Mahmud; last at E10.14, The Death of Mahwi of Sur
Named: 436 times, in 246 sections
Main stories: C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (48); B14 The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin (45); E6 Khosrow Parviz (43)

In the poem’s own words

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

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.

B14.14.3
You Sagzi, vilest creature of the earth,Would make Chin’s king a soldier, stripped of worth?”
B14.14.17
As gifts to Kay Khosrow these all shall go,New gifts from Shingan and from Chin, our foe.”
B14.14.18
He cried, “May dark and faithless AhrimanBe wed to Chin and all of Turkistan!

Chin named 8 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

D5.32

Iskandar Marches His Army to Chin

Iskandar enters Chin and carries his own threatening letter to Faghfoor as if he were its envoy. Faghfoor answers with a rebuke about mortality, refuses either fear or war, and sends lavish tribute. Shamed, Iskandar swears never to travel in disguise again.

D5.32.1
He led his legions into Chin, then choseA stage at which to halt and seek repose.
D5.32.17
In Chin, Faghfoor.” The letter then began:“Praise to the World-Creator, Lord of man,
D5.32.19
To Chin this royal charge we hereby give:In flourishing abundance let it live.

Chin named 11 times 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.

D10.19.1
Soon through Hind and Rum the tidings ran,Through Chin, Turan, and every settled span:
D10.19.5
When Chin’s ambitious Khan these tidings heard,He paid his troops, and all his army stirred.
D10.19.6
From Chin and from Khutan he raised a force,And marched on Iran by the eastern course.

Chin named 8 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E1.6

The Khan Writes for Peace

The Khan boasts that he will overrun Iran, but news of the Shah’s advance shakes him. Counseled that gold buys peace, he sends ten envoys with a silk letter. Anooshirvan feasts them a month, then stages a review of his troops and of his own horsemanship.

E1.6.5
To Chin I shall bear Iran’s dust away,And bring the Arabs ruin in the fray.
E1.6.16
My army spreads from Chin to Jihun’s tide;Beneath my crown the whole world must abide.
E1.6.19
Now he shall learn the force that Chin can wield,When all my horsemen meet him on the field.”

Chin named 7 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E1.8

The Khan Proposes Alliance by Marriage

Shaken by what his envoys report, the Khan resolves to bind the Shah by kinship and sends three nobles with a silk letter offering a daughter. Anooshirvan accepts on one condition: his own sage must view the women and satisfy himself of the girl’s descent.

E1.8.34
She will bring profit to his royal reign,And join Iran with Chin across the plain.
E1.8.36
They wrote on silk of Chin the words he told,And sealed the letter with his seal of gold.
E1.8.41
Full thirty thousand golden coins they laid,With silks of Chin in dazzling sheen displayed.

Chin named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E2.3

Gav, Talkhand, and Chess

In Hind, Jamhur dies leaving the infant Gav; his brother Mai reigns, marries the queen and fathers Talkhand. The brothers’ rival claims end in a battle by the sea where Talkhand dies of thirst, unwounded. To show his mother how, the sages devise chess.

E2.3.5
From fair Kashmir as far as Chin’s wide bound,All chieftains bowed where his command was found.
E2.3.24
From Sandali they turned their faces round,And chiefs from Chin’s far march desired him crowned.
E2.3.216
From this broad march to Chin extend your hand;Take all you wish, and peace shall bless the land.

Chin named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E6.34

Bahram Chubin Slays the Lion-Ape

A monster called the Lion-Ape has swallowed the Khan’s daughter, and the Khan is too ashamed to ask for vengeance. His queen appeals to Bahram, who rides out alone and kills the beast with arrows, spear and sword. The Khan gives him a second daughter in marriage.

E6.34.18
They sought to slay the beast and free the land,And lift Chin’s sorrow with a healing hand.
E6.34.27
Now he has left Iran and come to Chin,The earth shakes where his thundering steed is seen.
E6.34.47
She said, “May Chin and Turkistan through youGrow fortunate in all they seek and do.

Chin named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E6.37

Bahram Falls by Kharrad’s Design

Kharrad arms Kulun with a knife and the Khan’s seal, stolen in clay by the queen. At Marv, on the unlucky Bahram day, Kulun stabs Bahram and keeps silent under torture. Bahram counsels his sister, bequeaths his army to Yalan-sina, repents, and dies.

E6.37.2
He marched to Marv; then word to Chin was brought,To keep from Khosrow news of what they sought.
E6.37.3
“Let none from Chin or Turkistan pass through,To tell Khosrow what we intend to do.
E6.37.10
You often begged, at every door in Chin,For millet, bread, and skin, when times were lean.