Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Gulzaryunگلزریون

gol-za-ree-YOON

A river on the Turanian frontier.

In the poem: First at B10.11, Rostam Rules Turan for Seven Years; last at E1.11, Anooshirvan Marches to Tisfoon
Named: 15 times, in 12 sections
Main stories: C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (7); E1 The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters (5); B10 Vengeance for Siavash and the Retrieval of Kay Khosrow (3)

In the poem’s own words

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

B10.11

Rostam Rules Turan for Seven Years

Rostam seizes Afrasiab’s throne and treasures and shares out Turan among his chiefs: Chakh to Tus, Sipanjab to Gudarz, gold to Fariborz with a charge of vengeance. The rulers of Chin and Machin submit, and Rostam rules and hunts in peace.

B10.11.27
Let all from Sipanjab to GulzaryunObey your word beneath both sun and moon.”

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

B10.22

Piran Pursues Kay Khosrow

Piran pursues with a thousand riders to the Gulzaryun river. Farangis, on watch, wakes the others. Khosrow wants to fight, but Giv refuses: champions are many and kings are few, so the prince must watch from the height.

B10.22.11
That stream was Gulzaryun, its current dread;In spring it ran with blood, a sea of red.

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

B10.24

Giv Captures Piran

Piran swims the river to attack. Giv feigns flight, then turns and catches him with his kamand, binds him, and routs the Turanians by carrying Piran’s banner across the river. Piran begs Khosrow for his life.

B10.24.15
He seized Piran’s banner in his hand,And rode to Gulzaryun where troops still stand.

Gulzaryun 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.

C4.3.2
At Gulzaryun sat his chosen band,Proud chiefs and slayers gathered at his hand.

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

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.

C4.13.17
If now the Shah will heed the course we show,Across the Gulzaryun his troops must go.
C4.13.20
Toward Gulzaryun they went, their eyes a flood,Their hearts within them filled with grief and blood.

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

C4.14

Khosrow Crosses the Jihun

Khosrow crosses the Jihun, relieves the ruined marches of Sughd and rests a month. He orders mercy for Turks who submit and destruction for those who fight, and his troops raze strongholds for a hundred farsangs. At Gang, Afrasiab’s elders can advise only war.

C4.14.46
He marched to Gulzaryun with chosen guides,And searched the land on all its hidden sides.

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

C4.15

Khosrow’s Second Battle with Afrasiab

Both armies form up at Gulzaryun and fight until they can barely stand. Khosrow prays face down behind his lines, and a wind rises that drives the dust into the Turanians, who break. Afrasiab beheads his own runaways and waits for morning.

C4.15.3
Approaching Gulzaryun, that mighty forceMade earth like Mount Bistoon beneath its course.

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

E1.4

Ghatfar Defeated, Faghanish Crowned

The Khan of Chin sends gifts to Anooshirvan, and Ghatfar the Heytalian intercepts and kills the envoy. The Khan marches; after a week’s battle near Bukhara the Heytalians break. Their people resolve to seek Iran’s protection, and crown Faghanish of Chaghaniyan.

E1.4.7
Beside the Gulzaryun he held his reign,While tidings traveled over hill and plain.
E1.4.36
They marched toward the Gulzaryun in wrath,And vengeance drove them onward down the path.
E1.4.39
At Chakh the horsemen’s fury flamed and spread,And Gulzaryun’s waters turned rose-red.