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

Mazandaranمازندران

mah-zan-da-RAHN

A province of Iran on the Caspian shore, whose treasure-house the Shah draws on.

In the poem
First at A7.6, Sahm Gives the Kingdom to Zal; last at E10.2, Sa’ad Invades, and Rostam Takes the Field
Named
77 times, in 44 sections
Main stories
B5 The Seven Labors of Rostam (22); B4 The War with Mazandaran (16); A8 The Story of Zal and Rudabeh (6)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Mazandaran most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Mazandaran. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
A8.14

Zal Going as an Envoy before Manuchehr

Sahm dictates a letter to Manuchehr recalling his long service, above all his slaying of the dragon of the Kashaf River. Pleading old age, he hands his command to Zal and asks the Shah to judge Zal’s love kindly. Zal sets out for court with the letter.

  • A8.14.15
    My heavy gorz struck fear in every foe;No arm in Mazandaran matched its blow.
  • A8.14.57
    My gorz subdued the lands beneath your reign;Mazandaran, Gorgasaran domain.
Mazandaran named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B4.1

The Reign of Kay Kavus, His Sitting upon the Throne, and His Intent to March to Mazandaran

The poet reflects on good trees and crooked shoots. Kay Kavus, rich and proud, is enchanted by a Div disguised as a minstrel who sings of Mazandaran, and resolves to conquer it. The alarmed nobles send for Zal, who sets out to counsel the Shah.

  • B4.1.25
    He told the guard: “From Mazandaran’s landI come, a singer skilled in voice and hand.
  • B4.1.30
    “May Mazandaran ever honored be;May all its land bloom on eternally.
  • B4.1.42
    To far Mazandaran he set his mind,And vowed to lead all Iran’s strength combined.
Mazandaran named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B4.2

Zal Counsels Kay Kavus

Zal warns Kay Kavus that no earlier king ever marched on Mazandaran, land of Divs and sorcery. Kavus, claiming to surpass Jamshid and Fereydoon, dismisses him and leaves Zal and Rostam to guard Iran. Zal submits, and Giv and the chiefs escort him on his way.

  • B4.2.15
    They say that toward Mazandaran you fare,Upon a road no prudent king would dare.
  • B4.2.20
    Yet none among them sought that cursed road,Or led toward Mazandaran his martial load.
  • B4.2.31
    Manuchehr and Qobad I too excel;They never sought Mazandaran’s dark spell.
Mazandaran named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B4.3

Kay Kavus Ventures to Mazandaran

Kavus leaves Milad to guard Iran and marches to Mazandaran. Giv sacks a city of dazzling wealth, but the king of Mazandaran summons the White Div, who blinds the Shah and his army with sorcerous darkness, takes them captive and sends their treasure to the king.

  • B4.3.3
    When night gave way, at dawn the ranks made way,With Kavus toward Mazandaran that day.
  • B4.3.16
    Let two full thousand gorz-men clear the wayToward Mazandaran without delay.
  • B4.3.20
    They reached Mazandaran’s great city wall,With sword and gorz they rained destruction all.
Mazandaran named 7 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B5.5

Rostam Takes Ulad Captive

Rostam crosses a land of total darkness and lets Rakhsh graze in a planted field. He tears off the ears of the angry watchman, routs the local lord Ulad and his men, catches Ulad with his kamand and forces him to guide him to Kavus and the White Div.

  • B5.5.77
    From Buzgush toward Mazandaran’s town,A harsh long road runs winding up and down.
  • B5.5.92
    Then watchfires flamed through Mazandaran wide,And countless candles burned on every side.
  • B5.5.94
    Ulad replied: “Mazandaran is near;For two parts of the night no sleep comes here.
Mazandaran named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B5.7

Rostam Slays the White Div

At noon, while the Divs sleep, Rostam enters the White Div’s cave, wakes him and, after a long and bloody wrestle, hurls him down and tears out his liver. The blood restores the Iranians’ sight. They sack Mazandaran, and Kavus decides to send its king a letter.

  • B5.7.37
    No great or small in Mazandaran shall knowWhere I have gone if from his claws I go.”
  • B5.7.53
    First Mazandaran’s king must lose his throne;I shall cast him in a well of stone.
  • B5.7.69
    The Shah then took Mazandaran’s royal seat,With Rostam and the chiefs before his feet.
Mazandaran named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B5.10

Kavus Wars with Mazandaran

The armies meet, and Rostam spears the boasting champion Juya out of the saddle. After a week of battle Kavus prays; Rostam then spears the sorcerer-king, who turns himself into a rock. Rostam carries it to camp, the king emerges and is killed, and Ulad receives Mazandaran.

  • B5.10.80
    Then Rostam drove toward Mazandaran’s king,With chosen warriors tightening the ring.
  • B5.10.87
    Then Rostam took his spear and held it low,And drove straight toward the Mazandaran foe.
  • B5.10.129
    For seven days the wine-cup passed in cheer,And Mazandaran knew no grief or fear.
Mazandaran named 7 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B8.13

Kavus’s Anger at Rostam

Kavus, furious at the delay, orders Rostam and Giv hanged. Rostam strikes Tus, declares that his strength comes from God alone and rides away. Gudarz talks Kavus into repentance, then shames Rostam into returning with a rumor that he fears Sohrab. King and champion are reconciled.

  • B8.13.21
    Rum, Sagzar, Mesr, Chin have yielded ground;Mazandaran, Hamavaran were bound.
  • B8.13.57
    “In Mazandaran Divs had bound the Shah;Who broke his chains and struck their hearts with awe?
  • B8.13.69
    Have you forgotten Mazandaran’s night,And how he saved you in that desperate fight?
Mazandaran named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 44 sections that name Mazandaran
  1. A7.6 Sahm Gives the Kingdom to Zal
  2. A8.8 Sahm Seeks Counsel
  3. A8.12 Sahm Comes to Manuchehr
  4. A8.13 Sahm Marches on Kabul
  5. A8.14 Zal Going as an Envoy before Manuchehr
  6. A8.22 Zal Returns to Kabul, Sahm and Rudabeh
  7. A9.1 A Hero Is Born
  8. B1.1 Nohzar Accedes to the Throne
  9. B2.1 Afrasiab Invades after Garshasp’s Death
  10. B4.1 The Reign of Kay Kavus, His Sitting upon the Throne, and His Intent to March to Mazandaran
  11. B4.2 Zal Counsels Kay Kavus
  12. B4.3 Kay Kavus Ventures to Mazandaran
  13. B4.4 Kay Kavus Writes to Zal and Rostam
  14. B5.3 Rostam Fights a Dragon
  15. B5.5 Rostam Takes Ulad Captive
  16. B5.7 Rostam Slays the White Div
  17. B5.8 Kavus’s Letter to Mazandaran
  18. B5.9 Rostam’s Embassy to Mazandaran
  19. B5.10 Kavus Wars with Mazandaran
  20. B5.11 Kavus Returns to Iran
  21. B6.5 Rostam’s Message to Hamavaran
  22. B6.10 Rostam Brings Back Kay Kavus
  23. B8.12 Kavus Summons Rostam from Zabulistan
  24. B8.13 Kavus’s Anger at Rostam
  25. B8.20 Sohrab Casts Rostam Down
  26. B9.46 Siavash Shows His Skill at Polo
  27. B13.15 Khosrow Learns of His Army’s Plight
  28. B13.24 Piran Consults the Khan of Chin
  29. B14.6 Turan’s Counsel before Battle
  30. B14.7 Rostam Exhorts the Troops
  31. B14.16 Rostam Divides the Spoils
  32. B14.19 Afrasiab Hears of His Army’s Defeat
  33. B14.22 Afrasiab Writes to Puladvand
  34. B14.24 Rostam Battles Puladvand
  35. C2.14 Khosrow Writes to Rostam
  36. C2.16 Giv Is Feasted by Rostam
  37. C2.18 The Pahlevans Feast with Khosrow
  38. C3.25 Giv’s Horse Falters before Piran
  39. C4.57 Zal Petitions Khosrow for Rostam
  40. C8.15 Rostam Defends His Race and Deeds
  41. C8.17 Rostam Boasts of His Valor
  42. C8.20 Zal Advises Rostam
  43. E4.2 Anooshirvan and the Shoemaker
  44. E10.2 Sa’ad Invades, and Rostam Takes the Field

On the maps

A8.22Zal Returns to Kabul, Sahm and RudabehB4.3Kay Kavus Ventures to MazandaranB4.4–B5The Two Roads to Mazandaran and the Seven Labors of RostamB5.10–B5.11Kavus's Mazandaran Campaign and the Return to IranE10.2–E10.4The Arab Invasion and the Battle of Qadisiyya

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
A7The First Kings: Manuchehr1A8The Story of Zal and Rudabeh6A9The Birth and Early Feats of Rostam; Manuchehr’s Closing Counsel1B1The Crisis after Manuchehr2B2Garshasp and the Transition to Kayanian Kingship1B4The War with Mazandaran16B5The Seven Labors of Rostam22B6The Folly of Kay Kavus2B8The Tragedy of Rostam & Sohrab6B9The Story of Siavash1B13Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign2B14The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin6C2The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh3C3The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs1C4The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow2C8The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar3E4Anooshirvan’s Last Years1E10Yazdegard1

More in the Glossary and the index of places.