New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes II, III

Jahramجهرم

jah-ROM

A town in Pars, seat of Mehrak and home of Barbad and Farrokhzad.

In the poem
First at D4.5, Dara Fights Iskandar a Second Time; last at E9.6, The Reign of Farrokhzad
Named
15 times, in 10 sections
Main stories
D6 The Ashkanian Dynasty (5); D9 Yazdegard I and the Rise of Bahram Goor (3); D4 Dara and Iskandar (2)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Jahram most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Jahram. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
D4.5

Dara Fights Iskandar a Second Time

Dara pays and re-musters, crosses the river, and loses three more days of battle. Iskandar proclaims the civil population safe, rests four months, and gathers the spoil. Dara reaches Jahram, then Istakhr, and asks his chiefs to stand with him or lose everything.

  • D4.5.19
    Dara reached Jahram, where his wealth was stored,And where the keys were kept to all his hoard.
  • D4.5.23
    From Jahram to Istakhr he made his ride,The city famed as all the nobles’ pride.
Jahram named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
D5.16

Iskandar Goes on a Pilgrimage to the Kaaba

Iskandar turns from Hind toward Haram and the House that Ismail built. Nasr of Mecca meets him and tells how Qahtan and Khuza oppressed Ismail’s line; Iskandar destroys Khuza’s kin, frees Hijaz and Yemen, visits the shrine on foot, and relieves the poor.

  • D5.16.11
    To Kadisiya went the Shah’s array;To Jahram, Pars, the conqueror made his way.
Jahram named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
D6.8

Tabak Helps Ardeshir and Defeats Bahman

Tabak of Jahram deserts Ardavan and brings his troops and seven sons over. Ardeshir distrusts him until he swears on the Avesta and Zand, then makes him chief among his counselors. After prayer at a fire, Ardeshir routs Bahman, takes Istakhr, and shares out Babak’s wealth.

  • D6.8.2
    He ruled in Jahram, veteran, wise, and old,A seasoned lord whose word was firm and bold.
  • D6.8.4
    From Jahram then he came in battle train,Troops, tabiras, deserting Bahman’s reign.
Jahram named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
D6.14

Mehrak of Jahram Sacks the Palace of Ardeshir

While Ardeshir is pinned against the sea, Mehrak sacks his capital and gives the treasure away to his soldiers. As the Shah sits down to eat, an arrow buries itself in the roast lamb, carrying a taunt from the fortress two farsang away.

  • D6.14.1
    In Jahram lived Mehrak, Nushzad’s son,Whose line from Kayanian kings had run.
  • D6.14.4
    From Jahram to the palace marched his band,With countless troops brought in at his command.
Jahram named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
D6.15

Ardeshir Discovers the Truth about the Worm

In flight, Ardeshir is sheltered by two young men who tell him the Worm is Ahriman’s creature and cannot be beaten by force. He kills Mehrak, leaves Shahrgeer in command, enters the fortress as a merchant, drinks the keepers senseless, and feeds the Worm molten metal.

  • D6.15.47
    When Shah Ardeshir drew near Jahram’s height,The faithless Mehrak hid himself from sight.
Jahram named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
D7.4

Ardeshir Writes to Kayd of Hind

Never free of war, Ardeshir sends an envoy to the Indian sage Kayd. Kayd reads the stars and answers that peace will come only when Ardeshir’s line is joined with Mehrak’s. Enraged, Ardeshir orders a hunt for Mehrak’s one surviving daughter, who is hidden in a village.

  • D7.4.36
    He sent to Jahram horsemen, and besideA keen, vindictive tracker as their guide.
Jahram named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
D9.11

Bahram Goor Approaches with Monzer’s Army

Monzer levies thirty thousand Arab spearmen and camps on dry ground near Jahram. He advises Bahram to feast the Iranian chiefs and hear them out before fighting. Bahram sets an ivory throne on the plain, Numan beside him with a naked blade, and receives Iran’s nobles.

  • D9.11.7
    Near Jahram, Monzer led his ranks to standUpon the waterless expanse of land.
  • D9.11.9
    He said, “O counselor, you have come hereFrom Yemen to Jahram; our troops stand near.
  • D9.11.16
    I shall make Jahram a sea; the sun’s blazeWill shrink to match the Pleiades’ faint rays.
Jahram named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
D10.5

Bahram Grants Baraham’s Wealth to Lambak

In open court Bahram sends an honest man to empty Baraham’s house. A thousand camels cannot carry the hoard. He gives it to Lambak, quotes the miser’s own proverb back at him, leaves him four dirhams to start again, and throws the emptied house open to plunder.

  • D10.5.11
    The Mobad could not count the wealth amassed,And called from Jahram a thousand camels fast.
Jahram named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 10 sections that name Jahram
  1. D4.5 Dara Fights Iskandar a Second Time
  2. D5.16 Iskandar Goes on a Pilgrimage to the Kaaba
  3. D6.8 Tabak Helps Ardeshir and Defeats Bahman
  4. D6.14 Mehrak of Jahram Sacks the Palace of Ardeshir
  5. D6.15 Ardeshir Discovers the Truth about the Worm
  6. D7.4 Ardeshir Writes to Kayd of Hind
  7. D9.11 Bahram Goor Approaches with Monzer’s Army
  8. D10.5 Bahram Grants Baraham’s Wealth to Lambak
  9. E8.4 Barbad Breaks His Art in Grief
  10. E9.6 The Reign of Farrokhzad

On the maps

D5.16–D5.17The Pilgrimage West: Mecca, Judda, and Mesr

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
D4Dara and Iskandar2D5The Iskandar Cycle1D6The Ashkanian Dynasty5D7The Early Sasanians1D9Yazdegard I and the Rise of Bahram Goor3D10The Bahram Goor Cycle: Justice, Foreign Adventures, and End of a Reign1E8Shiruyeh’s Coup and the End of the Great Reign1E9The Years of Chaos1

More in the Glossary and the index of places.