Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Gilanگیلان

gee-LAHN

The province on the south-western Caspian shore.

In the poem: First at A6.26, Fereydoon Receives the Head of Salm; last at E5.11, Bahram Chubin Slays King Saveh
Named: 17 times, in 12 sections
Main stories: D13 Anooshirvan and the Road to the End-time (8); B9 The Story of Siavash (2); C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (2)

In the poem’s own words

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

A6.26

Fereydoon Receives the Head of Salm

Manuchehr reports his victory and returns with the treasure of the Alanons fortress. Fereydoon comes out on foot to greet him, entrusts him to Sahm, prays to be released from life, and crowns Manuchehr with his own hand.

A6.26.22
From Gilan’s sea, a black cloud swept the plain,And marched toward Sari in an ordered train.

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

B9.16

Siavash Leads the Army

Kavus equips twelve thousand horsemen and twelve thousand foot under the Kaviani banner and parts from Siavash in tears. After a month in Zabulistan, Siavash and Rostam march by Herat to Balkh, defeat the forces of Garsivaz and take the city.

B9.16.7
From Pahlav, Pars, from Kuch and Baluch came,From Gilan, Saruch’s plain, each known by name.

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

B9.46

Siavash Shows His Skill at Polo

Siavash outplays Garsivaz at polo, lifts five coats of mail on his father’s spear and shoots arrows through four shields. Pressed to wrestle, he declines to fight Garsivaz and instead unhorses two champions, Gurvi and Damur, at once. Garsivaz departs humiliated and resentful.

B9.46.25
Four shields of Gilan Siavash ordered then,Two wood, two tempered steel before the men.

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

C4.2

Kay Khosrow Musters against Afrasiab

With Piran dead, Kay Khosrow calls up the whole realm against Afrasiab. He gives Rostam, Gudarz and Tus three roads to watch, summons every province by letter, and sets out his order of battle: wings, elephants, crossbowmen, spearmen and reserves.

C4.2.69
Before them stood their Gilan shields in line,Their livers’ blood boiled hot at battle’s sign.

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

C4.3

Afrasiab Hears of Piran’s Death

At Baikand, Afrasiab learns that Piran, Lahhak and Farshidvard are dead. He mourns, throws down his crown, swears to live as a soldier until he is avenged, pays his troops, leaves Qarakhan in Bukhara, ferries his army over the Jihun and ranks his sons for battle.

C4.3.88
One road leads to the Sea of Gilan’s strand,With pasture for the steeds and camping land.

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

D6.9

Ardavan Fights Ardeshir and Falls

Ardavan brings up his armies; after forty days of fighting a black storm breaks his men’s nerve, and he is captured and cut in two at Ardeshir’s order. Two sons are imprisoned, two flee to Hindustan. Ardeshir marries Ardavan’s daughter and founds Khorra-e-Ardeshir.

D6.9.6
From Gilan and from Dilam came the train;Its dust rose to the moon above the plain.

Gilan named 1 time 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.

D10.19.28
Two rulers came, their power widely known,One lord of Rey, one Gilan called his own.

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

D13.7

Anooshirvan Subdues the Borderlands

The Shah threatens the Alanons, who submit with tribute and are set to building a walled city. Hindustan sends gifts. Told that Baluch raiders and Gilan are ruining his own country, he exterminates the Baluch, storms Gilan, then pardons the survivors and takes hostages.

D13.7.40
Yet greater ruin comes from Gilan’s shore,Where curses rise and blessings bloom no more.”
D13.7.64
Then Anooshirvan marched toward Gilan’s side,Where trouble burned in Dilam far and wide.
D13.7.68
So fierce the slaughter spread through Gilan’s land,That blood ran red across the rock and sand.