Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Gorganگرگان

gor-GAHN

A province south-east of the Caspian.

In the poem: First at B1.2, Pashang Hears of Manuchehr’s Death; last at E10.5, Yazdegard Withdraws to Khorasan
Named: 13 times, in 11 sections
Main stories: E1 The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters (5); E10 Yazdegard (2); B1 The Crisis after Manuchehr (1)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Gorgan most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Gorgan. 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.

Gorgan 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.

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

D10.20

Bahram’s Assault on the Khan’s Army

Learning that the Khan lies feasting at Marv, Bahram marches a light column across northern Iran, surprises the Turkish camp at Kashmihan at dawn, and takes the Khan captive with three hundred chiefs. He pursues the fleeing for thirty farsang and divides the spoil.

D10.20.6
Then onward through the Gorgan lands he passed,And bore his nobles’ hardship to the last.

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

D13.6

Anooshirvan Fortifies the Pass

The Shah tours his realm, camping outside settlements and asking whether his officers have wronged anyone. In the Caspian forests he hears that Turkish raiders have emptied the country, and orders a great stone wall built up from the sea, with an iron gate and watchmen.

D13.6.12
Thus to Gorgan he led the royal train,With crown and throne and chiefs of high domain.

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

E1.5

Anooshirvan Marches against the Khan

The Shah’s council urges caution: the Heytalians deserve their ruin for Pirooz’s blood, but Rum may strike while the Shah is in the east. He rebukes them for growing soft on banquets, and at the new moon leads the army out of Madain toward Gorgan.

E1.5.81
Toward Gorgan moved the army in its might,Until the sun itself seemed veiled from sight.

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

E1.6

The Khan Writes for Peace

The Khan boasts that he will overrun Iran, but news of the Shah’s advance shakes him. Counseled that gold buys peace, he sends ten envoys with a silk letter. Anooshirvan feasts them a month, then stages a review of his troops and of his own horsemanship.

E1.6.1
At Gorgan, Shah and troops in council met;At Sughd, the Khan remained on warfare set.
E1.6.14
They say the Shah has reached Gorgan, his vastBattalions through the country spreading fast.

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

E1.10

The Khan Sends Bride and Treasure

Glad of the star-reading, the Khan gives up his own daughter with a vast dowry of thrones, crowns, brocade, two hundred maidens with golden chalices, three hundred handmaids and an elephant-borne throne. He brings her to the Jihun and weeps, and Iran meets her with silver and musk along the roads.

E1.10.54
Toward Amuy, Marv, Bistam, and Gorgan’s way,The earth grew bright as pheasant plumes in day.

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

E10.5

Yazdegard Withdraws to Khorasan

Farrokhzad urges the Shah to rebuild his strength in Tabaristan. Yazdegard refuses to abandon his people, then chooses Khorasan, counting on the Turks, a marriage into Faghfoor’s house, and Mahwi of Marv, whom he raised from nothing. Farrokhzad warns that base stock never changes.

E10.5.68
From Rey to Gorgan, swift as wind, his wayHe took, and there, now sad, now glad, would stay.
E10.5.69
From Gorgan toward the road to Bost he went,His face was lined, his heart with sorrow rent.

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

All 11 sections that name Gorgan