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Place · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Khallokhخلخ

khal-LOKH

A Turkic land of the east, Arjasp's realm, famed for its horsemen and fair maidens.

In the poem
First at C3.2, Afrasiab Summons the Army of Turan; last at C8.29, Bishutan Brings Esfandiyar Home
Named
14 times, in 12 sections
Main stories
C6 Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp (9); C8 The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar (2); C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (1)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Khallokh most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Khallokh. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
C3.2

Afrasiab Summons the Army of Turan

Shamed by Rostam’s raid, Afrasiab falls back on Khallokh, summons his chiefs, and resolves on total war. He opens the treasuries kept since Tur, sends Shideh with fifty thousand to Khwarazm, and orders Piran into Iran with fifty thousand more.

  • C3.2.3
    He hurried on till Khallokh lay ahead;He hid his head from kings in shame and fled.
Khallokh named 1 time 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.

  • C4.3.116
    From Taraz, Ghuzz, and Khallokh riders pressed,Full thirty thousand, proved in battle’s test.
Khallokh named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C6.7

Zarir Replies to Arjasp

Zarir and Esfandiyar draw their swords and swear death to anyone rejecting Zardosht. Zarir, with Esfandiyar and Jamasp, drafts the reply. Goshtasb seals it, tells the envoys that only the Avesta’s law on safe-conduct saves them, and promises war in Dey.

  • C6.7.10
    He said, “Arise; reply, and let it standA warning to the chiefs of Khallokh’s land.”
Khallokh named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C6.8

The Envoys Bear Goshtasb’s Answer

The envoys return in disgrace and Arjasp has the reply read aloud: Goshtasb boasts of his lineage, his lions, Zarir and Esfandiyar, and throws back the musk. Arjasp musters Turan, dividing the army among Kuhram, Andariman, Gorgsar, Bidarfesh, Khashash and Hushdiv.

  • C6.8.5
    Yet when they reached Khallokh, disgrace held fast;Their glory still lay ruined by the past.
Khallokh named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C6.11

Goshtasb and Arjasp Prepare for Battle

Scouts report the Turks encamped nearby. Goshtasb gives Zarir the standard and the center, sets Esfandiyar and another son on the wings and Nastur in the rear, then watches from a height. Arjasp arrays his hundred-thousands under Bidarfesh, Gorgsar, Namkhast and Kuhram.

  • C6.11.21
    A hundred thousand Khallokh horsemen, triedIn many wars, stood on Bidarfesh’s side.
Khallokh named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C6.14

Zarir Is Slain by Bidarfesh

After two weeks Zarir breaks the Turkish ranks. Arjasp three times offers his daughter and treasure for the man who will face him, and is answered by silence until Bidarfesh accepts, kills Zarir from ambush with a poisoned javelin and strips him. Goshtasb offers Homahyi for vengeance; nobody moves.

  • C6.14.7
    “Will you let Khallokh fall? We still contendAfter two weeks and see no battle’s end.
  • C6.14.12
    If he fights on, he sweeps us all away;Arjasp, Khallokh, and Chin will fall today.
Khallokh named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C6.20

Goshtasb Returns to Balkh

The army carries its wounded home to Balkh. Goshtasb marries Homahyi to his eldest son, gives Nastur a hundred thousand men to avenge his father in Khallokh, distributes cities and honors, founds a hall and fire, and receives tribute from Rum, Hind and Sind.

  • C6.20.11
    Across Khallokh your father’s blood demandsRevenge: kill all you find throughout its lands.”
Khallokh named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C6.32

Esfandiyar Reaches Goshtasb

Goshtasb welcomes his son and promises him the crown. At dawn the armies close; Esfandiyar cuts down hundreds, takes the boastful Gorgsar with his kamand, and Arjasp flees by camel toward Khallokh. Spared, Gorgsar offers to guide the prince to the Ruyin Dezh.

  • C6.32.17
    Neither Arjasp nor Chin’s Khaqan shall stand,Nor Kuhram, Khallokh, nor the Turan land.”
  • C6.32.117
    With courtiers riding toward Khallokh he sped,While dust arose behind his path of dread.
Khallokh named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 12 sections that name Khallokh
  1. C3.2 Afrasiab Summons the Army of Turan
  2. C4.3 Afrasiab Hears of Piran’s Death
  3. C6.7 Zarir Replies to Arjasp
  4. C6.8 The Envoys Bear Goshtasb’s Answer
  5. C6.11 Goshtasb and Arjasp Prepare for Battle
  6. C6.14 Zarir Is Slain by Bidarfesh
  7. C6.20 Goshtasb Returns to Balkh
  8. C6.27 Lohrasp Falls at Balkh
  9. C6.32 Esfandiyar Reaches Goshtasb
  10. C7.13 Esfandiyar Slays Kuhram
  11. C8.26 Rostam Faces Esfandiyar Again
  12. C8.29 Bishutan Brings Esfandiyar Home

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 Rukhs1C4The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow1C6Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp9C7Esfandiyar’s Seven Stages and the Ruyin Dezh1C8The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar2

More in the Glossary and the index of places.