New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Gangdezhگنگ‌دژ

gang-DEZH

The paradise-like city Siavash builds in Turan; later Afrasiab's refuge, taken by Kay Khosrow.

In the poem
First at B9.39, Siavash Founds Gangdezh; last at E8.2, Khosrow Parviz Answers Shiruyeh
Named
15 times, in 9 sections
Main stories
C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (9); B9 The Story of Siavash (5); E8 Shiruyeh’s Coup and the End of the Great Reign (1)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Gangdezh most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Gangdezh. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
B9.39

Siavash Founds Gangdezh

The poet pauses to reflect on death and his own sixty-six years, then describes Gangdezh: a fortress-city of unearthly beauty hidden inside a vast mountain beyond the Sea of Chin, which Siavash builds with great labor.

  • B9.39.1
    I open now the record of the past,To tell of Siavash and Gangdezh vast.
  • B9.39.21
    Now hear the ancient tale of Gangdezh told,And mark the wonders handed down of old.
  • B9.39.22
    No place like Gangdezh stands beneath the sky;No other land could please the heart or eye.
Gangdezh named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B9.40

Siavash Speaks with Piran of the Future

The astrologers tell Siavash that his foundation is ill-starred. Weeping, he tells Piran that he will be killed, though innocent, by a king misled by slander, and that his death will set Iran and Turan ablaze. Piran is shaken and reproaches himself.

  • B9.40.11
    No place on earth can equal Gangdezh’s grace;No other city holds so fair a place.
Gangdezh named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C4.19

Afrasiab Sends Jahan to Khosrow

Jahan comes out of the fortress as envoy and is received with honor. Afrasiab’s message praises Khosrow, blames the Div for Siavash’s murder, laments the ruined cities, warns of winter and of fresh armies, offers all his treasure for peace, and threatens to vanish beyond Kimak.

  • C4.19.62
    Let Gangdezh be your resting-place; no moreWill town or army see me as before.
Gangdezh named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C4.31

Afrasiab Crosses the Sea

Hunted across Chin, Afrasiab reaches the Sea of Zereh and forces a crossing no sailor has made, taking refuge in Gangdezh. Khosrow resolves to follow him by way of Chin and Makran; his chiefs dread the water until Rostam argues them into it.

  • C4.31.12
    They set their sails toward Gangdezh through the spray,And turned from good and ill upon their way.
  • C4.31.18
    He said to Rostam, “Now that man of wrathHas gained Gangdezh and found a seaward path.
Gangdezh named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C4.36

Kay Khosrow Crosses the Sea

Khosrow provisions his fleet for a year and prays before sailing. The crossing takes seven months, past sea-creatures of every hybrid shape, with no contrary wind. Landing, he sets Giv over the country, receives its kings, learns that Afrasiab is at Gang, and marches there.

  • C4.36.42
    He asked of Gangdezh, seeking news to learnOf Afrasiab’s throne, his chief concern.
  • C4.36.49
    He sent the rulers home, their homage paid,Then marched toward Gangdezh with his troops arrayed.
Gangdezh named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C4.37

Kay Khosrow Reaches Gangdezh

Weeping at the walls his father raised, Khosrow enters Gangdezh, but Afrasiab has slipped away by night. The search kills many townspeople and finds nothing. Khosrow lingers a year in the gardens until his chiefs press him homeward; he appoints a governor and goes.

  • C4.37.4
    When Khosrow saw the walls of Gangdezh rise,A veil of tears fell down before his eyes.
  • C4.37.16
    When Kay Khosrow had entered Gangdezh fair,His heart was full of grief and troubled care.
Gangdezh named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C4.40

Kay Khosrow Returns to His Grandfather

Kavus comes out of the city to meet his grandson and the two weep together. After a week of feasting and the paying of the army, Khosrow admits he cannot find Afrasiab; Kavus proposes prayer, and they spend a month at the fire of Azargashasp.

  • C4.40.25
    He spoke of Gangdezh and the stormy sea,And fired the chiefs with longing there to be.
Gangdezh named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C4.43

Kavus and Khosrow Come to Hohm

The two Shahs come to Hohm, who proposes a lure: torture Garsivaz until his brother answers. Raw ox-hide is sewn round Garsivaz’s shoulders, and his cries bring Afrasiab wading into the shallows, where the brothers lament their lost greatness to each other across the water.

  • C4.43.8
    I prayed upon this mountain’s lonely height,When Khosrow passed toward Gangdezh in his might,
Gangdezh named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 9 sections that name Gangdezh
  1. B9.39 Siavash Founds Gangdezh
  2. B9.40 Siavash Speaks with Piran of the Future
  3. C4.19 Afrasiab Sends Jahan to Khosrow
  4. C4.31 Afrasiab Crosses the Sea
  5. C4.36 Kay Khosrow Crosses the Sea
  6. C4.37 Kay Khosrow Reaches Gangdezh
  7. C4.40 Kay Khosrow Returns to His Grandfather
  8. C4.43 Kavus and Khosrow Come to Hohm
  9. E8.2 Khosrow Parviz Answers Shiruyeh

On the maps

B9.39–B9.44Siavash's Eastern Realm: Gangdezh and Siavash-gard

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
B9The Story of Siavash5C4The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow9E8Shiruyeh’s Coup and the End of the Great Reign1

More in the Glossary and the index of places.