Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Ghanoojقنوج

gha-NOOJ

Kanauj, a city of northern India.

In the poem: First at A0.12, Praise for Sultan Mahmud; last at E2.4, The Kalila and Dimna Comes to Iran
Named: 35 times, in 24 sections
Main stories: D10 The Bahram Goor Cycle: Justice, Foreign Adventures, and End of a Reign (17); E2 Chess, Wisdom, and the Kalila and Dimna (7); C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (3)

In the poem’s own words

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

C4.51

Zal Admonishes Kay Khosrow

Zal and Rostam reach a court in dismay and are told the Shah has strayed. Zal answers that kings tire, then greets Khosrow with high praise, explains the sages and star-readers he has brought from the east, and asks what secret has turned the royal heart away.

C4.51.25
From Zabul, Danbar, Ghanooj, Kabul too,He gave those learned men the honor due.
C4.51.42
From Ghanooj, Danbar, Morgh, and Mai they came,With Indian tables, seeking heaven’s aim:

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

D10.29

Shangul Detains Bahram in Hind

Shangul, reading farr in his guest’s stature and archery, guesses he is the Shah’s brother; Bahram denies it and asks leave to go. The king has his minister offer land, office and wealth, and press for a name. Bahram calls himself Barzvi, and Shangul resolves to destroy him.

D10.29.18
Address him courteously; persuade him, ‘Stay;No cause requires you leave Ghanooj today.’
D10.29.24
The fortunate do not leave Ghanooj’s ground,Where twice a year the fruiting trees are crowned.

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

D10.30

Bahram Slays the Wolf for Shangul

Shangul sends Bahram against a monstrous wolf in a nearby wood. His companions beg him not to try; he answers that God fixes the place of a man’s death, kills the beast with arrows and khanjar, and sends the head back by cart. Shangul thinks next of the dragon.

D10.30.41
If he remained, he would support my hand,At Ghanooj, chief of troops at my command.
D10.30.42
But if he leaves for Iran’s broad domain,Bahram will raze Ghanooj and all its plain.
D10.30.43
With such a servant to so great a king,Ghanooj would lose the color of its spring.

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

D10.33

Faghfoor of Chin Writes to Bahram

Faghfoor of Chin hears of the envoy’s marriage and his killing of wolf and dragon, and writes inviting him to visit freely. Bahram answers in anger: the titles Faghfoor claims belong to Bahram Goor alone. He praises his own Shah, declines the gifts and the visit.

D10.33.7
Who reached Ghanooj with thirty at his side,Your fame has spread through lands both far and wide.
D10.33.14
With royal leave you took the road that ledTo Ghanooj, where a moonlike bride you wed.

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

D10.34

Bahram’s Flight from Hind to Iran

Sapinud has learned who her husband is. Bahram tells her he means to flee; she times the escape by her father’s forest festival and excuses him from it as sick. They ride out at night, and Bahram swears a caravan of Iranian merchants who recognize him to silence.

D10.34.20
That place is made for hunting Gur-e-Khar;Ghanooj’s horsemen feast there, riding far.
D10.34.31
At dawn he left Ghanooj to reach the fair;When night came, Bahram said, “Now, wife, prepare.”

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

D10.37

Shangul and Seven Kings Visit Bahram

Hearing from Sapinud of the Iranian court, Shangul obtains a fresh treaty and comes with seven Indian kings, elephants and tribute. Bahram meets him at Nahravan and feasts him; Shangul sees his daughter enthroned, hunts a month with the Shah, and deeds Ghanooj to him after his death.

D10.37.7
To Shangul’s court the envoy went, and gainedGhanooj, where jeweled splendor still remained.
D10.37.68
When I depart this world and yield my breath,Let Bahram rule Ghanooj upon my death.

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

E2.1

Chess Comes to Anooshirvan

An envoy from the Raja of Hind brings elephants, parasols and a chessboard with a challenge: if Iran’s sages cannot work out the rules, Iran must pay tribute. The court fails. Bozorgmehr solves the game in a day and a night and demonstrates it before the envoy.

E2.1.19
The Raja had amassed from every handThe goods of far Ghanooj and of Mai’s land.
E2.1.54
Else now the Raja of Ghanooj will say,‘The Shah had not one counselor that day.’

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

E2.2

Bozorgmehr Answers Chess with Nard

Bozorgmehr shuts himself in a dark room and works out nard, then carries it to Hind with two thousand camel-loads staked on the Raja’s sages solving it. They fail in a week; he explains the game, and comes home with the stake, a year’s tribute and gifts.

E2.2.29
Then said, “High Raja, famed through Hind’s wide land,From Sind to where Ghanooj’s waters stand,
E2.2.34
Now that wise Mobad comes before your gate,At high Ghanooj, with gifts of royal state.
E2.2.83
So from Ghanooj the honored sage withdrew,His head held high beneath the heavens blue.