New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Machinماچین

mah-CHEEN

The land beyond Chin.

In the poem
First at B10.11, Rostam Rules Turan for Seven Years; last at E10.11, The Death of Yazdegard
Named
17 times, in 17 sections
Main stories
C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (6); B10 Vengeance for Siavash and the Retrieval of Kay Khosrow (3); B14 The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin (2)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Machin most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Machin. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
B10.11

Rostam Rules Turan for Seven Years

Rostam seizes Afrasiab’s throne and treasures and shares out Turan among his chiefs: Chakh to Tus, Sipanjab to Gudarz, gold to Fariborz with a charge of vengeance. The rulers of Chin and Machin submit, and Rostam rules and hunts in peace.

  • B10.11.33
    Through Machin and through Chin the tidings came,That Rostam ruled and all obeyed his name.
Machin named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B10.17

Giv Finds Kay Khosrow

After seven years of wandering, Giv finds a youth by a stream who looks like Siavash. Kay Khosrow greets him by name, for Siavash foretold his coming, and proves his identity with the black birthmark of the Kayanian line.

  • B10.17.8
    He said to Piran: “Bring the prince awayFrom Machin; to his mother take him straightaway.
Machin named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B10.28

Kay Khosrow Crosses the Jihun

Trusting his farr, Khosrow prays and rides Behzad into the flooded Jihun, and all three cross safely. The amazed ferryman follows with gifts, which Giv refuses. Houman persuades Afrasiab not to pursue into Iran.

  • B10.28.47
    Your realm from Chin to Machin still endures;The sun, moon, Saturn, Pleiades are yours.
Machin named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B12.4

Forood and Tokhvar Survey the Troops

Forood and his tutor Tokhvar climb a peak to watch the Iranian army pass, and Tokhvar names each chief by his banner. Seeing the two watchers, Tus orders a rider to bring them down, or to kill them if they are spies.

  • B12.4.39
    In Chin and in Machin none shall survive;No mounted lord shall leave the field alive.
Machin named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B14.21

Afrasiab Hears of Rostam’s Coming

Afrasiab’s warriors urge him to fight, and he vows to kill Rostam and even his own grandson. He sends Farghar to spy and confides his dread of Rostam to his son Shideh, who counsels caution. After Farghar reports and Piran arrives, Afrasiab sends Piran out with the army.

  • B14.21.76
    From Chin and from Machin call every band;Then for renewed revenge let armies stand.”
Machin named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B14.26

Afrasiab Flees before Rostam

Piran tells Afrasiab that all is lost and he must flee. Leaving his banner and army behind, Afrasiab escapes towards Chin and Machin. Rostam’s men fight on with gorz and sword until the enemy breaks; then Rostam stops the slaughter, shares the spoil and burns Afrasiab’s towns.

  • B14.26.13
    They left his flag, but he himself was gone;Toward Chin and far Machin he hastened on.
Machin 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.

  • C4.3.7
    From Chin and far Machin the chieftains came,And camped in Kashani, all men of fame.
Machin named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C4.19

Afrasiab Sends Jahan to Khosrow

Jahan comes out of the fortress as envoy and is received with honor. Afrasiab’s message praises Khosrow, blames the Div for Siavash’s murder, laments the ruined cities, warns of winter and of fresh armies, offers all his treasure for peace, and threatens to vanish beyond Kimak.

  • C4.19.68
    If Chin and Machin please your heart, take all;Let your desire direct you at its call.
Machin named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 17 sections that name Machin
  1. B10.11 Rostam Rules Turan for Seven Years
  2. B10.17 Giv Finds Kay Khosrow
  3. B10.28 Kay Khosrow Crosses the Jihun
  4. B12.4 Forood and Tokhvar Survey the Troops
  5. B14.21 Afrasiab Hears of Rostam’s Coming
  6. B14.26 Afrasiab Flees before Rostam
  7. C4.3 Afrasiab Hears of Piran’s Death
  8. C4.19 Afrasiab Sends Jahan to Khosrow
  9. C4.30 The Faghfoor Sends Word to Khosrow
  10. C4.31 Afrasiab Crosses the Sea
  11. C4.32 Khosrow Sends Spoils and Captives to Kavus
  12. C4.38 Khosrow Returns to His Father’s City
  13. C7.8 The River of the Seventh Stage
  14. C7.9 Esfandiyar’s Guile at the Ruyin Dezh
  15. E1.6 The Khan Writes for Peace
  16. E7.10 Shiruyeh Is Released
  17. E10.11 The Death of Yazdegard

On the maps

C7.9–C7.13The Storming of the Brazen Hold

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
B10Vengeance for Siavash and the Retrieval of Kay Khosrow3B12Forood and the Snowstorm Campaign1B14The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin2C4The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow6C7Esfandiyar’s Seven Stages and the Ruyin Dezh2E1The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters1E7The Story of Khosrow Parviz and Shirin1E10Yazdegard1

More in the Glossary and the index of places.