Place · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Gang-Beheshtگنگ بهشت

gang-be-HESHT

Afrasiab's stronghold, where he gathers his army and to which he flees; Kay Khosrow takes it and rests there a year.

In the poem: First at C4.13, Afrasiab Flees to Gang-Behesht; last at C4.39, Khosrow’s Return from Turan
Named: 10 times, in 8 sections
Main stories: C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (10)

In the poem’s own words

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

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.

C4.13.18
At Gang-Behesht, then take rest from all strain;There you may fight, or peacefully remain.”

Gang-Behesht named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C4.16

Gang-Behesht Shelters Afrasiab

News comes that Gostaham has destroyed Qarakhan’s force by night and Rostam has scattered another. Afrasiab marches to surprise Rostam, finds him armed and watching, and on a chief’s advice shuts himself into Gang-Behesht with his treasure, family and troops.

C4.16.63
He entered Gang-Behesht with arms and pride,With all his troops and war-gear at his side.

Gang-Behesht named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C4.25

Kay Khosrow Writes Kavus of His Victory

Khosrow writes to Kavus of Gang’s fall, the wind at Gulzaryun and the numbers of the dead, and promises further news. Then he turns to wine and hunting until spring returns, while his spies search every quarter for the vanished Afrasiab.

C4.25.12
Afrasiab fled the field, deprived of might,To Gang-Behesht, made ready for the fight.

Gang-Behesht named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C4.29

Afrasiab’s Night Attack Fails

Afrasiab attacks by night, but Khosrow has left his camp dark as bait: the raiders founder in the trench and are cut apart. Next day a dust-storm blinds the Turanians, Afrasiab hides his black banner and flees, and his abandoned army surrenders.

C4.29.77
The Shah led forth his troops without delay,Then marched toward Gang-Behesht in armed array.

Gang-Behesht named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C4.30

The Faghfoor Sends Word to Khosrow

Hearing of Khosrow’s victory, the Khan and the Faghfoor regret the help they gave Afrasiab and send lavish gifts to buy pardon. Khosrow keeps the treasure and returns a warning to shut their borders; the Faghfoor at once sends word to the fugitive to keep away.

C4.30.11
Those mighty men of Chin made no delay,And reached Gang-Behesht on the seventh day.

Gang-Behesht named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C4.33

The Shah’s Answer to Khosrow

Kavus writes back rejoicing, rehearses Afrasiab’s crimes and urges that the man be left no refuge anywhere. Khosrow feasts three days, garrisons Gang-Behesht under Gostaham, and marches for Chin, stopping in Siavash’s garden to swear he will spill Afrasiab’s blood where his father’s was spilled.

C4.33.18
He did not loiter on the road; he pressedToward Gang-Behesht, and would not stop to rest.
C4.33.24
Then Khosrow left fair Gang-Behesht; his courseLay on toward Chin; he claimed the world by force.

Gang-Behesht named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C4.38

Khosrow Returns to His Father’s City

Khosrow recrosses the sea in seven months, is met by Ashkash in Makran and by Rostam near Chin, and comes to Siavash-Gard, where he mourns on the ground of the murder and renews his vow. At Gang-Behesht he prays a whole night for word of Afrasiab.

C4.38.59
They came to Gang-Behesht, where royal graceGave all the troops great honor in that place.
C4.38.77
He stayed at Gang-Behesht a year, releasedFrom marches and the wars that now had ceased.

Gang-Behesht named 2 times 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.