Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Kabulکابل

kah-BOLalso Kabulistan

Mehrab's kingdom; Kabulistan. Its later king plots with Shaghad to kill Rostam.

In the poem: First at A6.20, Manuchehr Attacks the Army of Tur; last at E10.9, Yazdegard Hides in the Mill
Named: 129 times, in 67 sections
Main stories: A8 The Story of Zal and Rudabeh (47); C9 Rostam and Shaghad (28); C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (8)

In the poem’s own words

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

A8.1

Zal Visits Mehrab of Kabul

Zal tours his lands and reaches Kabul, whose king Mehrab, a descendant of Zahhak and a tributary of Sahm, greets him with rich gifts. Zal hears of Mehrab’s daughter and falls in love unseen, but refuses to visit an idol-worshipper’s house.

A8.1.3
To view the lands of Hind and Kabul wide,With Mai, Danbar, and Morgh on every side.
A8.1.6
With open hand, a glad and carefree heart,He reached fair Kabul, pleased to play his part.
A8.1.10
From Zahhak’s Tazi stock his lineage came,He ruled Kabul and held its lands in name.

Kabul named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

A8.3

The Handmaidens Visit Zal

The handmaidens gather roses by the river opposite Zal’s camp. Zal shoots a water-bird, and his page, crossing to fetch it, learns their errand. Zal sends them gifts, questions them about Rudabeh, and they plan his secret visit to her palace.

A8.3.13
They walk abroad at Rudabeh’s command,The pride and glory of fair Kabul’s land.”
A8.3.31
Within Kabul there shines a brighter light,A form that dims the very sun from sight.
A8.3.38
From Kabul we have come to Zabul’s king,To make her ruby lips to Sahm’s son cling.

Kabul named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

A8.13

Sahm Marches on Kabul

Kabul despairs at the Shah’s sentence. Zal rides to meet his father and, before the army, reproaches him for abandoning him at birth and now threatening the house he loves. Sahm admits his wrongs and promises to write to the Shah and send Zal to plead in person.

A8.13.1
Mehrab and Zal heard all that late had passed;The Shah’s command left all Kabul aghast.
A8.13.6
And should it seek to ravage Kabul’s land,It first must take my head beneath its hand.”
A8.13.38
Mehrab of Kabul, with his crown and gold,His throne and heavy gorz in warrior’s hold,

Kabul named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

A8.14

Zal Going as an Envoy before Manuchehr

Sahm dictates a letter to Manuchehr recalling his long service, above all his slaying of the dragon of the Kashaf River. Pleading old age, he hands his command to Zal and asks the Shah to judge Zal’s love kindly. Zal sets out for court with the letter.

A8.14.70
He says it would be better far to fallThan strike at Kabul and bring death to all.
A8.14.72
A moon in Kabul, radiant and fair,A slender cypress crowned with flowers rare.
A8.14.83
Then Zal departed Kabul on his way;Sahm One Blow in the garden chose to stay.

Kabul named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

A8.16

Sindokht and Sahm Come to an Agreement

Disguised as a warrior-envoy, Sindokht brings Mehrab’s gifts to Sahm, who has them credited to Rudabeh. She pleads for Kabul’s innocent people, wins his oath of safety, and only then reveals who she is. Sahm accepts the match and sends her home with gifts and an escort.

A8.16.7
“An envoy comes from Kabul to this place,To speak with Sahm, the chief of warlike race,
A8.16.19
Record them there in Rudabeh’s fair name,The Moon of Kabul, bright with royal fame.”
A8.16.29
If fault there was, it lay with Mehrab’s hand;His eyes hold heart-blood shed for Kabul’s land.

Kabul named 12 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

A8.22

Zal Returns to Kabul, Sahm and Rudabeh

Zal returns to Sahm, who tells him of his pact with Sindokht. Father and son ride to Kabul, where Mehrab welcomes them. Zal and Rudabeh marry amid weeks of feasting. Afterwards Sahm gives Zal the rule of Sistan and marches against the Gorgasaran.

A8.22.7
He spoke of Sindokht, smiling as he toldThe words that she had brought from Kabul’s hold:
A8.22.8
“A message came from Kabul to my hall;A woman, Sindokht, bore and told it all.
A8.22.11
First, Kabul’s moon shall wed with Zabul’s sun;Their two great houses shall be joined as one.

Kabul named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C9.2

Rostam Comes to Kabul for His Brother

A singing girl in Zal’s household bears Shaghad, whose horoscope foretells the ruin of Sahm’s line. Reared in Kabul and married to its king’s daughter, he resents the tribute Rostam still claims, and with the king he plots a feigned quarrel and a field of hidden pits.

C9.2.5
From Kashmir and Kabul the sages came,Astrologers and chiefs of honored name.
C9.2.21
When he grew strong, Zal sent him on his wayTo Kabul’s king, with whom he was to stay.
C9.2.28
The annual tribute that from Kabul cameWas one ox-hide, which Rostam used to claim.

Kabul named 16 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C9.6

Faramarz Avenges Rostam

Faramarz arms his father’s treasury and marches on Kabul. He takes the king captive, flays a strip from his back and hangs him head down in the pit, burns forty of his kin and then Shaghad with the plane tree, and installs a new ruler.

C9.6.4
From Zabul toward Kabul his army poured,So vast the sun was hidden by the horde.
C9.6.14
The riders’ dust made all the daylight dim;Kabul’s king fell a captive there to him.
C9.6.28
When Faramarz had cut the tyrant down,He chose a man to rule in Kabul’s town.