New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Place · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Kanabadکنابد

ka-nah-BAHD

The mountain where Piran's Turanian army takes its stand against Gudarz, facing Raibad.

In the poem
First at C3.5, Giv’s Visit to Piran; last at C3.41, Lahhak and Farshidvard Bewail Piran
Named
12 times, in 10 sections
Main stories
C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (12)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Kanabad most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Kanabad. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
C3.5

Giv’s Visit to Piran

Giv finds Piran at Visagard; the two sides talk for two weeks beside the Jihun and settle nothing. Piran reports to Afrasiab, receives thirty thousand more men, hardens, refuses every term, and moves his army to Kanabad.

  • C3.5.42
    He came to Kanabad and took his stand,Below the mountain, with his gathered band.
Kanabad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.6

The Armies Are Set in Array

The armies take position between Raibad and Kanabad. Gudarz sets wings, rear and flank guards under named chiefs, with the Kaviani standard at the center; Piran, finding no ground to attack on, hides Ruyin and ten thousand men in the woods.

  • C3.6.18
    The daylight failed while, from Kanabad’s height,Piran moved out and filled the road with might.
  • C3.6.24
    From Raibad out to Kanabad they spread;The vales grew black and blue where armies tread.
Kanabad named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.11

Houman Challenges Gudarz

Houman comes to Gudarz himself and mocks him for hiding behind a mountain. Gudarz refuses to be drawn, reasoning that a victory would only keep Piran in his ambush. Houman rides off, shoots four of the guard, and boasts on the heights while Gudarz burns with shame.

  • C3.11.39
    His troops will seek Mount Kanabad again;Then disadvantage will attend our men.
Kanabad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.14

Houman and Bijan Meet in Combat

At dawn the two ride far from both armies, pledge to spare each other’s interpreters, and fight with bows, spears, swords and gorzes. They wrestle from the saddle without result, break off exhausted to drink, and Bijan prays for strength.

  • C3.14.17
    Will you contend with me at Kanabad,Or choose the distant field beside Raibad?
  • C3.14.22
    They rode from Kanabad and left the height,Their faces toward the plain, prepared to fight.
Kanabad named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.15

Bijan Slays Houman

Exhausted, the two wrestle again; Bijan throws Houman, beheads him and gives thanks. He hides in Houman’s khaftan, rides his horse and carries his banner to safety, then reverses the flag, and both armies learn the truth at once.

  • C3.15.33
    The man departed; Bijan bent his bow,Then rode where Mount Kanabad’s foothills show.
Kanabad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.16

Nastihan Is Slain in a Night-Attack

Piran sends Nastihan with ten thousand men to attack by night. The scouts see them coming; Bijan meets them with a thousand horsemen, destroys two-thirds of the force and kills Nastihan with his gorz. Piran, told the news, mourns, and both armies fight all day.

  • C3.16.57
    The army marched down from Kanabad’s height;The sun and moon were robbed of all their light.
Kanabad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.17

Gudarz Appeals to Khosrow

Gudarz dictates a secret letter reporting the embassy, the two combats, and Afrasiab’s position on the river, and asks whether the Shah will come. Hajir carries it by relays in a week; Khosrow rewards him lavishly, then prays at dawn for victory.

  • C3.17.7
    He told how Piran followed Giv to fight,Like some fierce leopard, toward Kanabad’s height.
Kanabad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.22

Piran Seeks Afrasiab’s Aid

Piran sends an elder envoy to Afrasiab with a long dispatch: he confesses fault, reports the deaths of Houman and Nastihan at Bijan’s hands, nine hundred men lost, and Iran’s advantage, and begs the king to bring an army. Afrasiab grieves, then takes heart.

  • C3.22.13
    I led my army up to Kanabad’s height,And checked Iran’s advance before the fight.
Kanabad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 10 sections that name Kanabad
  1. C3.5 Giv’s Visit to Piran
  2. C3.6 The Armies Are Set in Array
  3. C3.11 Houman Challenges Gudarz
  4. C3.14 Houman and Bijan Meet in Combat
  5. C3.15 Bijan Slays Houman
  6. C3.16 Nastihan Is Slain in a Night-Attack
  7. C3.17 Gudarz Appeals to Khosrow
  8. C3.22 Piran Seeks Afrasiab’s Aid
  9. C3.26 The Battle of Eleven Rukhs Is Arranged
  10. C3.41 Lahhak and Farshidvard Bewail Piran

On the maps

C3.6–C3.39The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
C3The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs12

More in the Glossary and the index of places.