Place · The Shahnameh · Volume I

Kalatکلات

ka-LAHT

Forood’s mountain fortress.

In the poem: First at B12.2, Tus Goes to Turkistan; last at B13.2, Khosrow’s Rebuke of Tus
Named: 12 times, in 8 sections
Main stories: B12 Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign (10); B13 Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign (2)

In the poem’s own words

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

B12.2

Tus Goes to Turkistan

Kay Khosrow gives Tus the Kaviani banner and command of the army. He warns him to spare civilians and to avoid the road by Kalat, where his half-brother Forood lives. At the fork Tus overrides Gudarz and takes the green road through Kalat.

B12.2.26
Above all else, keep far from Kalat’s way,For if you take that road, our plan goes astray.
B12.2.42
The other wound by Kalat’s guarded side,Through Charam’s fertile valleys, green and wide.
B12.2.50
Through Kalat and through Charam let us ride,At Mayam camp, with running streams beside.

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

B12.3

News of Tus Reaches Forood

Forood, son of Siavash and Piran’s daughter Jarireh, hears that an Iranian army is coming and drives his herds into the mountain. Jarireh urges him to join Kay Khosrow in avenging Siavash, and to seek out Bahram and Zangeh, his father’s old companions.

B12.3.4
Against Turan they march with vengeance sworn,And toward Kalat their mighty lines are borne.

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

B12.12

The Death of Forood

Jarireh dreams of fire consuming the fortress and wakes Forood. He arms his men and fights until noon, but his troops are killed. Rohham cuts off his arm, Bijan hamstrings his horse, and he dies inside the fortress, telling the women to leap to their deaths.

B12.12.2
A thousand guards stood armed within the hold,From Kalat came a rider, swift and bold.

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

B12.13

The Death of Jarireh

The women leap from the roof. Jarireh burns the treasure, kills the horses and stabs herself over Forood’s body. Bahram rebukes the Iranians, Gudarz rebukes Tus, and Tus weeps and builds a royal tomb for Forood, Rivniz and Zarasp.

B12.13.18
Then Tus approached; the koust resounded wide,Along the rugged road by Kalat’s side.

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

B12.15

The Snowstorm Campaign

Afrasiab orders Piran to raise an army. A snowstorm buries the Iranian camp for a week, killing men and horses. Bahram blames Tus for Forood’s death, and Tus blames fate. Giv crosses the frozen river and burns the timber barrier with a fire-arrow.

B12.15.16
It is best that we depart this cursed ground;May Kalat bear the curse that wraps it round,

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

B12.20

Kay Khosrow Recalls Tus

Grieving for Forood and the army, Kay Khosrow writes to Fariborz, giving him command with Gudarz as adviser, and recalls Tus. Tus hands over the banner and returns. The Shah curses him, spares his life only for his royal blood, and imprisons him.

B12.20.22
I warned bold Tus: ‘Let Charam’s road alone,And keep from Kalat and Sepid Kooh’s stone.’

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

B12.22

The Turanians Defeat the Iranians

The armies meet. Houman breaks the Iranian center and Fariborz flees. Giv shames Gudarz into standing firm; Bijan cuts the Kaviani banner in two to bring half of it back. Rivniz son of Kavus is killed, and Bahram saves his crown, but the Iranians are routed with terrible losses.

B12.22.90
Not Tus's kin who fell at Kalat's height, This crowned young scion perished in the fight..

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

B13.2

Khosrow’s Rebuke of Tus

The beaten army returns from the disastrous campaign against Forood. Kay Khosrow curses Tus for disobeying him, killing his brother and losing the war, and sends the chiefs away in disgrace. They beg Rostam to plead for them.

B13.2.3
When they had reached along the Charam way,Kalat rose high; below, Mayam’s waters lay.
B13.2.16
I said: ‘Avoid Kalat; from Charam stay,Though silver coins be showered along your way.’

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