Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Dehestanدهستان

de-hes-TAHN

A fortress town near the Caspian where Nohzar retreats.

In the poem: First at B1.2, Pashang Hears of Manuchehr’s Death; last at C4.4, Kay Khosrow Hears of Afrasiab’s Advance
Named: 16 times, in 11 sections
Main stories: B1 The Crisis after Manuchehr (10); C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (4); C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (2)

In the poem’s own words

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

B1.2

Pashang Hears of Manuchehr’s Death

Hearing that Manuchehr is dead and Nohzar’s rule is faltering, Pashang of Turan resolves to avenge Tur and Salm. He summons his son Afrasiab, who eagerly takes command, although his brother Aghriras counsels caution.

B1.2.46
Put Dehestan and Gorgan under heel;Let waters run blood-ruby beneath steel.

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

B1.3

Afrasiab Invades Iran

In spring Afrasiab crosses the Jihun with a vast army and camps before Nohzar at Dehestan. He sends a force against Zabulistan, where Zal is building Sahm’s tomb, and writes in triumph to Pashang that Iran’s one feared champion is dead.

B1.3.6
Toward Dehestan they turned in war array;Gharan the battle-seeker led the way.
B1.3.8
When near Dehestan all the army came,You would think the Sun itself had lost its flame.
B1.3.10
At Dehestan the battle lines were made,And soon fresh orders through the camp were laid.

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

B1.4

Barman and Qobad in Single Combat

The Turk Barman challenges the Iranians, and only old Qobad answers him. Qobad falls. Gharan leads a furious charge against the Turanian ranks and fights Afrasiab until sorcerous darkness ends the day.

B1.4.1
At dawn the vanguard reached Dehestan’s plain,As morning raised its head from mountain chain.

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

B1.6

Nohzar’s Third Battle with Afrasiab

In the third battle Shapur falls and Nohzar retreats into the fortress of Dehestan. When Afrasiab sends Kurukhan to seize the royal women in Pars, Gharan and the chiefs slip away by night against the Shah’s wishes, and Gharan kills Barman on the road.

B1.6.1
Tus and Gostaham had gone upon their way,While grieving Nohzar in Dehestan lay.
B1.6.20
When Nohzar saw the field was lost that day,With Gharan toward Dehestan made his way.
B1.6.21
Dehestan’s fortress formed their guarded wall;Its narrow passage gave scant room at all.

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

B1.11

Nohzar Falls to Afrasiab

Enraged by his losses, Afrasiab has Nohzar dragged before him and beheads him with his own hand. Aghriras saves the other captives, who are sent in chains to Sari, and Afrasiab rides to Rey and sets the Kayanian crown on his own head.

B1.11.33
Then from Dehestan’s plains his army wheeled;To Rey he rode to make the whole world yield.

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

C3.18

Khosrow Sends His Reply

Khosrow answers point by point: Piran was never going to make peace; Afrasiab waits by the Jihun because he is encircled; Rostam, Lohrasp and Ashkash are winning elsewhere. He sends Tus to Dehestan, promises to follow, and orders Gudarz to give battle.

C3.18.48
He will seize Dehestan and Gorgan’s plain,And raise our banner over that domain.

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

C3.19

Khosrow Musters the Army

Tus marches for Dehestan and Khwarazm and Khosrow follows with a hundred thousand men. Hajir returns in a robe of honor with the royal letter; Gudarz has it read to the chiefs, opens his treasury, pays and remounts the army, and reviews it.

C3.19.6
“Lead forth your army straight to Dehestan,And fill Khwarazm’s broad plain, O Pahlevan.

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

C3.21

Gudarz Replies to Piran

On the eighth day Gudarz dictates his answer and refuses point by point: Piran’s heart and tongue are strangers, the feud reaches back to Iraj, seventy sons are unavenged, the lands are already taken. Ruyin carries it home; Piran hides it and calls his troops to arms.