New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes II, III

Khwarazmخوارزم

khah-RAZM

A land on the lower Oxus, a borderland between Iran and Turan.

In the poem
First at C3.2, Afrasiab Summons the Army of Turan; last at E1.11, Anooshirvan Marches to Tisfoon
Named
13 times, in 11 sections
Main stories
C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (7); C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (4); D13 Anooshirvan and the Road to the End-time (1)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Khwarazm most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Khwarazm. 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.

  • C3.2.35
    “I give to you this well-appointed band;March to Khwarazm and guard that borderland.
Khwarazm named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.3

Kay Khosrow Sends Gudarz against Turan

Warned that Turan is massing, Kay Khosrow takes counsel, pays and arms his troops, and sends out four armies: Rostam to Sistan and Hind, Lohrasp westward, Ashkash to Khwarazm against Shideh, and Gudarz against Piran, with careful orders on conduct.

  • C3.3.11
    And fifty thousand, armed for battle, massed,Have marched toward Khwarazm, their numbers vast.
  • C3.3.63
    His wolf-like troops to Khwarazm took their way,And bore the mighty koust in their array.
  • C3.3.64
    He bade him camp before Khwarazm’s walls,And fight Shideh, who ruled within its halls.
Khwarazm named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.18

Khosrow Sends His Reply

Khosrow answers point by point: Piran was never going to make peace; Afrasiab waits by the Jihun because he is encircled; Rostam, Lohrasp and Ashkash are winning elsewhere. He sends Tus to Dehestan, promises to follow, and orders Gudarz to give battle.

  • C3.18.36
    From Khwarazm, where the watchful Ashkash went,The battle-cry rang high through heaven’s tent.
Khwarazm named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.19

Khosrow Musters the Army

Tus marches for Dehestan and Khwarazm and Khosrow follows with a hundred thousand men. Hajir returns in a robe of honor with the royal letter; Gudarz has it read to the chiefs, opens his treasury, pays and remounts the army, and reviews it.

  • C3.19.6
    “Lead forth your army straight to Dehestan,And fill Khwarazm’s broad plain, O Pahlevan.
Khwarazm named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.21

Gudarz Replies to Piran

On the eighth day Gudarz dictates his answer and refuses point by point: Piran’s heart and tongue are strangers, the feud reaches back to Iraj, seventy sons are unavenged, the lands are already taken. Ruyin carries it home; Piran hides it and calls his troops to arms.

  • C3.21.73
    In Dehestan, Khwarazm, and all that groundWhere Turkish raiders raised their heads around,
Khwarazm named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C4.4

Kay Khosrow Hears of Afrasiab’s Advance

Khosrow learns that Afrasiab has crossed the Jihun and camped on the Iranian bank. He reinforces Balkh and Zam, marches toward Khwarazm, digs a trench and floods it, and the two armies stand facing each other for two days while the astrologers fail to read the outcome.

  • C4.4.12
    Their route lay toward Khwarazm, where open sandsAnd plains were fit for strife of rival bands.
Khwarazm named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C4.8

Kay Khosrow Battles Shideh

At dawn Shideh calls Khosrow out. The Shah arms despite his soldiers’ protest, leaves Rostam in command if he falls, and rides with Shideh to a waste in Khwarazm. They fight with lance, gorz and sword until noon, and then Shideh proposes wrestling on foot.

  • C4.8.41
    It lay within Khwarazm’s open plain,A fitting place for warriors’ fierce campaign.
Khwarazm named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C4.12

Khosrow Sends News of Victory to Kavus

Khosrow has a dispatch written to Kavus: three battles fought on the plain of Khwarazm, three hundred heads and two hundred captive chiefs sent to court, Afrasiab’s brother and son dead, and the king himself in flight with the Iranians behind him.

  • C4.12.11
    We fought upon Khwarazm’s open plain,And Heaven’s blessing crowned our hard campaign.
Khwarazm named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 11 sections that name Khwarazm
  1. C3.2 Afrasiab Summons the Army of Turan
  2. C3.3 Kay Khosrow Sends Gudarz against Turan
  3. C3.18 Khosrow Sends His Reply
  4. C3.19 Khosrow Musters the Army
  5. C3.21 Gudarz Replies to Piran
  6. C4.4 Kay Khosrow Hears of Afrasiab’s Advance
  7. C4.8 Kay Khosrow Battles Shideh
  8. C4.12 Khosrow Sends News of Victory to Kavus
  9. C4.53 Zal Reproaches Khosrow
  10. D13.6 Anooshirvan Fortifies the Pass
  11. E1.11 Anooshirvan Marches to Tisfoon

On the maps

D13.6–D13.7The Gate of Darband: Fortifying the Northern Frontier

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 Rukhs7C4The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow4D13Anooshirvan and the Road to the End-time1E1The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters1

More in the Glossary and the index of places.