New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II

Sistanسیستان

see-STAHNalso Zabulalso Zabulistanalso Nimruz

The south-eastern land of Zal and Rostam, also called Zabul, Zabulistan and Nimruz.

In the poem
First at A7.4, Manuchehr Hears of Zal; last at D1.2, Bahman Humiliates Zal
Named
114 times, in 78 sections
Main stories
B13 Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign (13); B1 The Crisis after Manuchehr (11); B8 The Tragedy of Rostam & Sohrab (10)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Sistan most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Sistan. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
A7.4

Manuchehr Hears of Zal

Manuchehr sends his son Nohzar to welcome Sahm, who hurries to court with Zal. The king marvels at the youth and asks for his story, and Sahm tells of the dreams, the nest, and the Simorgh returning his son.

  • A7.4.1
    From Zabul word had reached the Shah afar:Sahm left the mountain, bearing sacred farr.
  • A7.4.9
    Afterward let them toward Zabul go,As servants of the crown their duty show.”
Sistan named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A7.5

Zal Returns to Zabulistan

The court astrologers foretell a great future for Zal. Manuchehr loads Sahm with gifts and grants him a charter over Kabul, Hind, Sind and Zabul. Sahm returns home, and Sistan is decked like paradise to greet him and his son.

  • A7.5.18
    From Zabul to the Sea of Bost it ran;By royal form they sealed the charter’s span.
  • A7.5.24
    He kissed the throne; upon an elephant’s backThey firmly bound the koust for Zabul’s track.
  • A7.5.25
    Toward Zabulistan then they made their way;The city, lane by lane, watched their array.
Sistan named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A8.22

Zal Returns to Kabul, Sahm and Rudabeh

Zal returns to Sahm, who tells him of his pact with Sindokht. Father and son ride to Kabul, where Mehrab welcomes them. Zal and Rudabeh marry amid weeks of feasting. Afterwards Sahm gives Zal the rule of Sistan and marches against the Gorgasaran.

  • A8.22.11
    First, Kabul’s moon shall wed with Zabul’s sun;Their two great houses shall be joined as one.
  • A8.22.61
    At month’s end Sahm set out from Kabul’s gate,And turned toward Sistan at a rapid rate.
  • A8.22.62
    After Sahm had gone, Zal feasted seven days,Then turned his thoughts toward Sistan’s distant ways.
Sistan named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A9.1

A Hero Is Born

Rudabeh’s pregnancy brings her near death. Zal burns the Simorgh’s feather, and the bird tells him to have a skilled Mobad drug Rudabeh with wine and deliver the child through her side. Rostam is born, a silk effigy of him delights Sahm, and the boy grows prodigiously.

  • A9.1.67
    They held a feast in Golestan’s green ground;From Kabul on to Zabul joy went round.
  • A9.1.70
    Through Zabulistan, stretching end to end,Musicians sat wherever roads might bend.
Sistan named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
A9.2

Sahm Comes to Meet Rostam

Sahm comes to Zabul to see his grandson and finds him enthroned on an elephant. Rostam asks for arms, a month of feasting follows, and the drunken Mehrab boasts. Before leaving, Sahm counsels Zal to be just and loyal and says that he feels his own end approaching.

  • A9.2.5
    His love drew him toward the son of Zal;He led his company toward Zabul’s hall.
  • A9.2.63
    From Zabul’s court the ringing bell was heard;From elephants the answering karnay stirred.
  • A9.2.66
    Zal led the troops to Sistan, homeward bound;With lion Rostam, wine and joy went round.
Sistan named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B1.12

Zal Hears of Nohzar’s Death

The Iranians mourn Nohzar and Zal vows vengeance. The captives at Sari beg Aghriras for help, and he promises to withdraw if an Iranian force approaches. Keshvad rides from Zabul, Aghriras pulls back, and Zal welcomes the freed nobles.

  • B1.12.7
    They turned toward Zabul, mourning as they went,The Shah upon each tongue, each heart intent.
  • B1.12.53
    The courier reached Zabul and would not wait,And told Zal all the workings of their fate.
  • B1.12.59
    From Zabul warriors rode with arms in hand,Toward Amol, a battle-seeking band.
Sistan named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B8.12

Kavus Summons Rostam from Zabulistan

Kavus writes urging Rostam to come at once, and Giv rides to Zabul. Rostam cannot believe that a Turk could be so strong, and his own son by Tahmineh must still be a child. He feasts and drinks for three days before setting out.

  • B8.12.22
    Ride out from Zabul with your mounted band,And raise the war-cry through the troubled land.
  • B8.12.27
    When Rostam hears, let nothing hold you still;In Zabul do not rest or eat your fill.
  • B8.12.32
    Near Zabul, scouts announced a rider near,And Zal received their warning loud and clear:
Sistan named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
B13.24

Piran Consults the Khan of Chin

Kamus scorns Piran’s five months of failure and boasts that he will kill Rostam. The Khan backs him. Piran is relieved to hear that the new arrival is only Fariborz. Tus rouses his men with Rostam’s coming, but they urge him to wait for Rostam.

  • B13.24.10
    Though Chin’s silk covered all the world’s broad face,With Kabul, Zabul, Hind in every place,
  • B13.24.15
    You fear the army coming from Sistan;That thought has filled your heart with care, Piran.
  • B13.24.38
    Houman replied: “Take heart, and shed no tear;No Rostam’s strength, no Sistan troops, appear.
Sistan named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 78 sections that name Sistan
  1. A7.4 Manuchehr Hears of Zal
  2. A7.5 Zal Returns to Zabulistan
  3. A7.6 Sahm Gives the Kingdom to Zal
  4. A8.3 The Handmaidens Visit Zal
  5. A8.9 Rudabeh’s Mother Is Not Pleased
  6. A8.16 Sindokht and Sahm Come to an Agreement
  7. A8.21 Manuchehr’s Answer to Sahm’s Letter
  8. A8.22 Zal Returns to Kabul, Sahm and Rudabeh
  9. A9.1 A Hero Is Born
  10. A9.2 Sahm Comes to Meet Rostam
  11. A9.5 Rostam Proudly Writes His Father
  12. B1.3 Afrasiab Invades Iran
  13. B1.8 Viseh Finds His Son Slain
  14. B1.9 Shamasas and Khazarvan Raid Zabulistan
  15. B1.10 Zal Comes to Mehrab’s Aid
  16. B1.12 Zal Hears of Nohzar’s Death
  17. B1.14 Zav, the Son of Tahmasp, Is Elected Shah
  18. B2.1 Afrasiab Invades after Garshasp’s Death
  19. B2.3 Zal Leads Iran against Afrasiab
  20. B3.4 Pashang Sues Kay Qobad for Peace
  21. B4.2 Zal Counsels Kay Kavus
  22. B4.4 Kay Kavus Writes to Zal and Rostam
  23. B5.7 Rostam Slays the White Div
  24. B6.1 Kavus Wars with Hamavaran
  25. B6.4 Afrasiab Invades Iran
  26. B6.7 Kavus’s Message to Afrasiab
  27. B8.4 Tahmineh Seeks Out Rostam
  28. B8.11 Sohrab Takes the White Fortress
  29. B8.12 Kavus Summons Rostam from Zabulistan
  30. B8.19 Rostam and Sohrab Leave the Field
  31. B8.24 Rostam Returns to Zabulistan
  32. B9.3 The Birth of Siavash
  33. B9.16 Siavash Leads the Army
  34. B9.25 Kavus Receives the Message
  35. B9.26 Kavus Dispatches Rostam to Sistan
  36. B9.31 Siavash Yields Command to Bahram
  37. B10.3 Rostam Comes before Kavus
  38. B10.4 Rostam Takes Vengeance
  39. B10.14 Rostam Returns to Iran
  40. B10.15 Gudarz’s Dream of Kay Khosrow
  41. B11.7 Rostam Is Sent to the Land of Hind
  42. B11.8 Kay Khosrow Inspects the Army
  43. B13.12 The Turanians Besiege Hamavan
  44. B13.14 The Iranians Make a Night-Attack, Tus, Giv, Rohham Are Surrounded but Are Saved
  45. B13.15 Khosrow Learns of His Army’s Plight
  46. B13.18 Afrasiab Sends Aid to Piran
  47. B13.24 Piran Consults the Khan of Chin
  48. B13.26 The Coming of Rostam
  49. B13.27 Iran and Turan Set Their Battle Lines
  50. B13.30 Iran and Turan Prepare for Battle
  51. B13.31 Kamus Slays Alva
  52. B13.32 Rostam Slays Kamus
  53. B14.4 Piran Consults Houman and the Khan
  54. B14.5 Piran Comes before Rostam
  55. B14.6 Turan’s Counsel before Battle
  56. B14.20 Rostam Fights Kafur the Maneater
  57. B14.21 Afrasiab Hears of Rostam’s Coming
  58. B14.28 Rostam Returns to Sistan
  59. C2.15 Giv Brings Word to Rostam
  60. C2.17 Rostam Comes to Khosrow
  61. C2.23 Bijan Learns Rostam Is Coming
  62. C2.25 Rostam Attacks Afrasiab’s Palace by Night
  63. C2.28 Rostam’s Return to Kay Khosrow
  64. C2.29 Kay Khosrow Holds a Feast
  65. C3.3 Kay Khosrow Sends Gudarz against Turan
  66. C4.49 Zal and Rostam Are Summoned
  67. C6.25 Arjasp Prepares the Second War
  68. C6.28 News of Lohrasp’s Death Reaches Goshtasb
  69. C8.3 Goshtasb Replies to His Son
  70. C8.4 Katayun Counsels Esfandiyar
  71. C8.14 Esfandiyar Insults Rostam’s Race
  72. C8.20 Zal Advises Rostam
  73. C8.25 The Simorgh Comes to Rostam’s Aid
  74. C8.28 Esfandiyar’s Last Wishes
  75. C9.2 Rostam Comes to Kabul for His Brother
  76. C9.7 Rudabeh’s Grief for Rostam
  77. D1.1 Bahman Seeks Vengeance for His Father
  78. D1.2 Bahman Humiliates Zal

On the maps

A7.5Zal Returns to ZabulistanA8.22Zal Returns to Kabul, Sahm and RudabehA9.5Rostam Proudly Writes His FatherB1.3Afrasiab's Invasion and the Fall of NohzarB3.4The Peace of the JihunB4.4–B5The Two Roads to Mazandaran and the Seven Labors of RostamB6.1The Hamavaran Sea-War and Kavus's CaptivityB9.31–B9.32Siavash Crosses the Jihun into Exile

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: Manuchehr7A8The Story of Zal and Rudabeh8A9The Birth and Early Feats of Rostam; Manuchehr’s Closing Counsel6B1The Crisis after Manuchehr11B2Garshasp and the Transition to Kayanian Kingship4B3Kay Qobad1B4The War with Mazandaran2B5The Seven Labors of Rostam1B6The Folly of Kay Kavus4B8The Tragedy of Rostam & Sohrab10B9The Story of Siavash6B10Vengeance for Siavash and the Retrieval of Kay Khosrow5B11Kay Khosrow’s Kingship2B13Mount Hamavan and the Kamus Campaign13B14The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin8C2The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh8C3The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs1C4The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow1C6Goshtasb, Zardosht, and the War with Arjasp4C8The Tragedy of Rostam and Esfandiyar7C9Rostam and Shaghad3D1The Reign of Bahman, Son of Esfandiyar2

More in the Glossary and the index of places.