Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Jihunجیحون

jey-HOON

The Oxus (Amu Darya), the border between Iran and Turan.

In the poem: First at A6.19, Manuchehr Marches for Vengeance; last at E10.14, The Death of Mahwi of Sur
Named: 89 times, in 60 sections
Main stories: C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (14); B10 Vengeance for Siavash and the Retrieval of Kay Khosrow (11); C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (10)

In the poem’s own words

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

B2.1

Afrasiab Invades after Garshasp’s Death

Zav’s son Garshasp reigns briefly and dies. Pashang, still estranged from Afrasiab over Aghriras, orders him to invade again. The Iranians turn to Zal, who is too old to fight and offers instead his young son Rostam, arming him with Sahm’s ancestral gorz.

B2.1.17
Cross Jihun now and raise your army’s might;Let no new Shah ascend to claim the right.”
B2.1.30
A force has crossed Jihun; its dust concealsThe very Sun beneath its rolling wheels.

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

B3.4

Pashang Sues Kay Qobad for Peace

Pashang writes to Kay Qobad offering peace on the basis of Fereydoon’s ancient division of the world, with the Jihun as the frontier. Qobad accepts and the Turanians withdraw. Despite Rostam’s protest, the Shah rewards his champions and gives Rostam the rule of Nimruz.

B3.4.13
From khargah toward Mawarannahr’s side,Our portion lies, with Jihun as its guide.
B3.4.24
Not one of us shall cross Jihun in dream,Nor one from Iran pass beyond the stream.
B3.4.33
Afrasiab crossed Jihun into our land,And brought this war upon Iran’s own strand.

Jihun named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B9.22

Garsivaz Comes before Siavash

Garsivaz crosses the Jihun and presents Afrasiab’s gifts at Balkh. Rostam puts off the answer for a week. Suspicious of the envoy’s haste, he and Siavash decide to demand a hundred of Afrasiab’s kinsmen as hostages and to consult Kavus.

B9.22.2
He sped until he reached the Jihun’s side,And sent a messenger ahead to ride.
B9.22.4
By boat he crossed the Jihun in one day,Then hastened on toward Balkh without delay.

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

B10.28

Kay Khosrow Crosses the Jihun

Trusting his farr, Khosrow prays and rides Behzad into the flooded Jihun, and all three cross safely. The amazed ferryman follows with gifts, which Giv refuses. Houman persuades Afrasiab not to pursue into Iran.

B10.28.15
He urged the dark horse into Jihun’s tide,And like a ship across the flood did ride.
B10.28.21
In springtime Jihun, through its raging spans,Three steeds, three jowshans, three bargostvans.
B10.28.33
“How did that Div cross Jihun’s raging span?What secret path was found by such a man?”

Jihun named 5 times 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.

C4.3.46
While he bewailed those tidings, riders cried:“Kay Khosrow’s troops have reached the Jihun side.
C4.3.65
He sent them to the Jihun, there to goBy boat across the river’s running flow,
C4.3.71
At last they all agreed the king should goAcross the Jihun’s broad and running flow.

Jihun named 5 times 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.

C4.13.1
Across the Jihun Afrasiab sped;Like rushing wind, across its flood he fled.
C4.13.13
Beyond the Jihun, at our king’s command,We made our field of battle on that land.
C4.13.29
“Khosrow has crossed the Jihun with his train;His army now has reached the open plain.