Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Khutanختن

kho-TAN

A kingdom of Central Asia, named with Chin and Turkistan among the lands of the Turks.

In the poem: First at B1.14, Zav, the Son of Tahmasp, Is Elected Shah; last at E1.11, Anooshirvan Marches to Tisfoon
Named: 26 times, in 21 sections
Main stories: C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (6); E1 The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters (4); B9 The Story of Siavash (3)

In the poem’s own words

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

B1.14

Zav, the Son of Tahmasp, Is Elected Shah

Zal insists that Iran needs a king of royal blood, and the nobles choose the aged Zav, son of Tahmasp. After five years of just rule and a famine that exhausts both sides, Iran and Turan agree a border, rain returns, and Zav dies at eighty-six.

B1.14.30
From Jihun east toward Chin and Khutan’s bound,They marked the lands where Turan’s rule was found.

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

B9.38

Afrasiab Grants Siavash a Province

Afrasiab grants Siavash a vast province reaching to the Sea of Chin, with a crown, a throne and a written deed. A year later the prince tours his lands with Farangis, rests at Piran’s seat in Khutan, and chooses a site for a city.

B9.38.28
To Khutan’s fertile fields they rode in line,Where Piran held command by right and sign.

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

B9.43

Piran Visits Siavash-Gard

Returning from his campaign, Piran visits Siavash-Gard, marvels at the city and at Farangis, and feasts there for a week. At Afrasiab’s court he reports the tribute he has gathered and praises Siavash’s city in glowing terms, to the king’s delight.

B9.43.29
Then took his leave, his army in array,And rode to Khutan on the homeward way.

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

B9.56

Piran Shields Farangis

Warned by his brothers, Piran rides for two days and nights and arrives as Farangis is being dragged to her death. He halts the guards, rebukes Afrasiab for following a Div’s counsel, and wins her life, promising to bring the child to the king. He takes her to Khutan.

B9.56.39
He led her safe to Khutan’s distant plain,While court and hall cried out in grief and pain.

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

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.

C3.2.24
He chose his envoys, told them his intent;To Faghfoor and Khutan’s crowned lord they went.
C3.2.27
Two weeks passed; troops from Chin, Khutan, and allThe Turkish lands assembled at his call.

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

C4.26

Afrasiab Returns with the Faghfoor of Chin

Afrasiab comes back from Khutan with the Faghfoor’s army and Piran’s treasure, and the Turks Khosrow had spared rise again. Khosrow leaves Gudarz to hold the country, marches out, and after a week the two armies form up against each other.

C4.26.1
Then tidings came from Chin, from Khutan’s land,That Afrasiab had joined the Faghfoor’s band.
C4.26.7
As he conveyed them far from Khutan’s realm,He brought a force his foe to overwhelm.”
C4.26.10
When Afrasiab left Khutan behind,He brought a force beyond all count or mind.

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

C4.30

The Faghfoor Sends Word to Khosrow

Hearing of Khosrow’s victory, the Khan and the Faghfoor regret the help they gave Afrasiab and send lavish gifts to buy pardon. Khosrow keeps the treasure and returns a warning to shut their borders; the Faghfoor at once sends word to the fugitive to keep away.

C4.30.7
They readied gifts from Chin and Khutan’s store,And spent a treasure on the gifts they bore.
C4.30.18
“Avoid Khutan and Chin’s frontiers,” he said,“And mourn the evil path your footsteps tread.

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

E1.11

Anooshirvan Marches to Tisfoon

The Khan yields Sughd, Chakh and Samarkand and withdraws. The eastern lords come with gifts and recite the history of their sufferings. The Shah prays, gives alms, halts at the fire of Azargashasp on the way home, and sends bride and treasure on to Tisfoon.

E1.11.15
Then nobles gathered from the lands around,From Chakh, Amuy, Khutan, on common ground.
E1.11.36
Then Heytalians, Turks, and Khutan’s bandMet by the Gulzaryun’s flowing strand.

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

All 21 sections that name Khutan