Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Makranمکران

mok-RAHN

The coastal land of south-eastern Iran.

In the poem: First at B6.1, Kavus Wars with Hamavaran; last at E7.10, Shiruyeh Is Released
Named: 35 times, in 15 sections
Main stories: C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (28); B6 The Folly of Kay Kavus (2); E7 The Story of Khosrow Parviz and Shirin (2)

In the poem’s own words

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

B6.1

Kavus Wars with Hamavaran

Kavus tours his empire from Turan and Chin to Makran, defeats the king of Barbar, receives homage at Mount Kaf and feasts with Rostam in Zabul. When Mesr and Sham rebel, he crosses the sea and defeats the allied kings; Hamavaran submits.

B6.1.4
To Makran then he led his royal train,And entered with his court across the plain.
B6.1.5
Makran was decked like bride in bright array,With ney, buq, and koust to mark the day.

Makran named 2 times 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.

C4.19.69
Khorasan, Makran lie before your feet;Whatever you may gain, to me is sweet.

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

C4.31

Afrasiab Crosses the Sea

Hunted across Chin, Afrasiab reaches the Sea of Zereh and forces a crossing no sailor has made, taking refuge in Gangdezh. Khosrow resolves to follow him by way of Chin and Makran; his chiefs dread the water until Rostam argues them into it.

C4.31.23
Through Chin and Makran I shall spread my force,Then cross the Sea of Kimak on my course.
C4.31.24
When Chin and great Machin obey my reign,I shall demand tribute from Makran’s domain.

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

C4.34

Khosrow’s Embassy to the Faghfoor and Makran

Khosrow demands supplies and free passage from the Khan, the Faghfoor and the king of Makran. Chin submits and entertains him three months with swept roads and daily gifts; Makran’s king answers with defiance, and in the fourth month Khosrow rides against him.

C4.34.2
To Chin’s great Khan and Faghfoor envoys went;To Makran’s ruler others too were sent.
C4.34.16
But when the envoy entered Makran’s land,He found a heart that would resist command.
C4.34.26
I will not let you cross Makran’s frontier,Nor set your foot upon our marches here.

Makran named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C4.35

Khosrow Battles the King of Makran

A last embassy fails and Makran’s king takes the field with two hundred elephants. He falls in the melee; Khosrow forbids any dishonor to the body, halts the sack and pardons the townspeople. After a year in Makran he leaves Ashkash in command and marches for the sea.

C4.35.1
Khosrow departed; when Makran drew near,He chose a seasoned envoy, wise and clear.
C4.35.10
You will ruin Makran from end to endIf you, in vengeance, with the lions contend.”
C4.35.17
When Khosrow’s envoy left the monarch’s hall,Makran was filled with clamor, camp, and call.

Makran named 11 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C4.36

Kay Khosrow Crosses the Sea

Khosrow provisions his fleet for a year and prays before sailing. The crossing takes seven months, past sea-creatures of every hybrid shape, with no contrary wind. Landing, he sets Giv over the country, receives its kings, learns that Afrasiab is at Gang, and marches there.

C4.36.2
The Shah had brought from Chin and Makran’s shoreThe finest sailors skilled in sail and oar.
C4.36.31
The cities bore Chin’s shape and stamp; amongTheir people, speech was like the Makran tongue.

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

C4.38

Khosrow Returns to His Father’s City

Khosrow recrosses the sea in seven months, is met by Ashkash in Makran and by Rostam near Chin, and comes to Siavash-Gard, where he mourns on the ground of the murder and renews his vow. At Gang-Behesht he prays a whole night for word of Afrasiab.

C4.38.27
They decked all Tiz and Makran for that day,And summoned minstrels there from every way.
C4.38.30
The nobles of Makran, all the men of name,And mighty warriors to Khosrow came.
C4.38.34
He made him ruler over Makran’s lands,With praise and robes of honor from his hands.

Makran named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C4.39

Khosrow’s Return from Turan

Khosrow leaves Gostaham to govern from Chin’s sea to Kibchak and starts home with a treasure-train ten days long. He halts at Chakh, Sughd and Bukhara, weeps at an ancient fire temple, crosses the Jihun, and moves by Balkh, Nishapur and Rey toward Pars.

C4.39.4
Through Chin and Makran stretch your watchful hand,Send envoys forth, with letters of command.
C4.39.8
With furnishings from Chin and carpets rare,Makran’s rich produce, gathered everywhere,

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

All 15 sections that name Makran