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Place · The Shahnameh · Volume II

Raibadریبد

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A plain and mountain on the Turan frontier where Gudarz camps before the great battle.

In the poem
First at C3.4, Giv Carries Word from Gudarz to Piran; last at C3.49, Bijan Returns with Gostaham
Named
10 times, in 9 sections
Main stories
C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (10)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Raibad most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Raibad. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
C3.4

Giv Carries Word from Gudarz to Piran

Near Raibad, Gudarz picks a thousand chiefs and sends Giv to Piran with the Shah’s terms: hand over Siavash’s killers, your whole treasure, and your son and brothers as hostages; or come over to Khosrow, or retire to Chakh, or fight.

  • C3.4.1
    When old Gudarz drew near to Raibad’s plain,He chose his captains from the gathered train.
Raibad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.6

The Armies Are Set in Array

The armies take position between Raibad and Kanabad. Gudarz sets wings, rear and flank guards under named chiefs, with the Kaviani standard at the center; Piran, finding no ground to attack on, hides Ruyin and ten thousand men in the woods.

  • C3.6.17
    He marched from Raibad to the open plain,And ranked his mountain-force in ordered train.
  • C3.6.24
    From Raibad out to Kanabad they spread;The vales grew black and blue where armies tread.
Raibad named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.14

Houman and Bijan Meet in Combat

At dawn the two ride far from both armies, pledge to spare each other’s interpreters, and fight with bows, spears, swords and gorzes. They wrestle from the saddle without result, break off exhausted to drink, and Bijan prays for strength.

  • C3.14.17
    Will you contend with me at Kanabad,Or choose the distant field beside Raibad?
Raibad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.16

Nastihan Is Slain in a Night-Attack

Piran sends Nastihan with ten thousand men to attack by night. The scouts see them coming; Bijan meets them with a thousand horsemen, destroys two-thirds of the force and kills Nastihan with his gorz. Piran, told the news, mourns, and both armies fight all day.

  • C3.16.63
    Gudarz reached Raibad; his heart found no rest,For troubling thoughts lay heavy in his breast.
Raibad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.22

Piran Seeks Afrasiab’s Aid

Piran sends an elder envoy to Afrasiab with a long dispatch: he confesses fault, reports the deaths of Houman and Nastihan at Bijan’s hands, nine hundred men lost, and Iran’s advantage, and begs the king to bring an army. Afrasiab grieves, then takes heart.

  • C3.22.16
    They took their place on Raibad’s mountain height,And there our armies faced in guarded might.
Raibad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.26

The Battle of Eleven Rukhs Is Arranged

At nightfall both sides agree to settle the war by single combat and withdraw to their mountains. Gudarz hears Giv’s account, rehearses the war’s history from Zahhak to the murder of Siavash, redeploys his wings, and leaves Gostaham in charge of the camp.

  • C3.26.11
    Gudarz rode back to Raibad with his band,And left the field where both had made their stand.
Raibad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.40

Gudarz Returns from Battle

The Iranians come down with their dead and fear Gudarz has fallen, until his banner appears. He tells his story and sends Rohham to fetch Piran’s body untouched. As they reach camp, the watchman on Raibad reports Kay Khosrow approaching with elephants and banners.

  • C3.40.43
    While still they spoke, a watchman’s voice rang clear;From Mount Raibad his cry reached every ear:
Raibad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
C3.41

Lahhak and Farshidvard Bewail Piran

Turan’s watchman reports the disaster. Lahhak and Farshidvard climb to the lookout, see Piran and the ten dead, and mourn, but remember his last order. The leaderless army debates quarter, flight and battle; the brothers refuse to submit and choose the desert road.

  • C3.41.10
    From Raibad’s side rose dust, a darkened shroud;The plain was azure-dim beneath that cloud;
Raibad named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 9 sections that name Raibad
  1. C3.4 Giv Carries Word from Gudarz to Piran
  2. C3.6 The Armies Are Set in Array
  3. C3.14 Houman and Bijan Meet in Combat
  4. C3.16 Nastihan Is Slain in a Night-Attack
  5. C3.22 Piran Seeks Afrasiab’s Aid
  6. C3.26 The Battle of Eleven Rukhs Is Arranged
  7. C3.40 Gudarz Returns from Battle
  8. C3.41 Lahhak and Farshidvard Bewail Piran
  9. C3.49 Bijan Returns with Gostaham

On the maps

C3.6–C3.39The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs

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 Rukhs10

More in the Glossary and the index of places.