Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Sughdسغد

SOGHD

Sogdiana, the land of Samarkand.

In the poem: First at B9.17, Siavash’s Letter to Kavus; last at E1.11, Anooshirvan Marches to Tisfoon
Named: 16 times, in 12 sections
Main stories: B9 The Story of Siavash (5); E1 The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters (5); C4 The Final Afrasiab Wars and the Disappearance of Kay Khosrow (4)

In the poem’s own words

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

B9.17

Siavash’s Letter to Kavus

From Balkh, Siavash has a letter written on silk in musk and rosewater. After praising God, it reports his victory: the Turks have fled across the Jihun, and Afrasiab waits in Sughd. He asks leave to cross the river and attack.

B9.17.13
Afrasiab in Sughd holds all his force;His troops and chief stand past the river’s course.

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

B9.18

Kavus Replies to Siavash

Delighted, Kavus writes back praising his son but ordering him to keep the army together and wait for Afrasiab to cross the Jihun. Meanwhile Garsivaz describes the Iranians’ strength to Afrasiab, who drives him out in a rage and then holds a feast.

B9.18.34
They decked the plain for feasting far and wide,With Chinese ornaments through Sughd supplied.

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

B9.21

Afrasiab Consults the Nobles

Afrasiab tells his nobles he is weary of war and will seek peace. With their agreement he sends Garsivaz to Siavash with two hundred riders and lavish gifts, offering to restore the old concord and the frontier set by Fereydoon.

B9.21.30
The lands as far as Jihun are my own;In Sughd I rule a kingdom set alone.

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

B9.23

Siavash’s Treaty with Afrasiab

Siavash gives Garsivaz his terms: a hundred of Afrasiab’s kin as hostages, the return of Iranian towns and a withdrawal to Turan. Afrasiab reluctantly agrees, sends the men Rostam named and pulls his army back from Bukhara, Sughd and Samarkand to Gang.

B9.23.30
From fair Bukhara, Sughd, and Samarkand,From Chakh and Sipanjab, he drew his hand.

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

B9.28

Siavash Consults Bahram and Zangeh

Siavash pours out his sorrows to Bahram and Zangeh and resolves to keep his oath: he will return the hostages and gifts, leave the army to Tus and seek refuge abroad. Bahram begs him to write to Kavus instead, but he refuses and sends Zangeh to Afrasiab.

B9.28.11
While Afrasiab in Sughd for war grew strong,A hundred thousand swordsmen formed his throng.

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

C4.14

Khosrow Crosses the Jihun

Khosrow crosses the Jihun, relieves the ruined marches of Sughd and rests a month. He orders mercy for Turks who submit and destruction for those who fight, and his troops raze strongholds for a hundred farsangs. At Gang, Afrasiab’s elders can advise only war.

C4.14.5
He reached the marches of Sughd, wide and waste,A home for owls, by ruin long defaced.
C4.14.22
A month in Sughd the Shah remained in place,Amid a loyal people rich in grace.
C4.14.27
From Sughd and Kashan forth the army came;The world was lost in wonder at his name.

Sughd named 3 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

E1.4

Ghatfar Defeated, Faghanish Crowned

The Khan of Chin sends gifts to Anooshirvan, and Ghatfar the Heytalian intercepts and kills the envoy. The Khan marches; after a week’s battle near Bukhara the Heytalians break. Their people resolve to seek Iran’s protection, and crown Faghanish of Chaghaniyan.

E1.4.21
Before their ruler stood a battle-lineFrom Sughd as far as Jihun’s broad confine.
E1.4.52
The men of Kashan and of Sughd stood near,And watched the battle, overwhelmed by fear.

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

E1.11

Anooshirvan Marches to Tisfoon

The Khan yields Sughd, Chakh and Samarkand and withdraws. The eastern lords come with gifts and recite the history of their sufferings. The Shah prays, gives alms, halts at the fire of Azargashasp on the way home, and sends bride and treasure on to Tisfoon.

E1.11.3
He yielded Sughd and Chakh, and Samarkand,Then sent his crown to Kachar Bashi’s land.
E1.11.17
Chakh, Tarak, Samarkand, and Sughd’s wide plainLie desolate, where owls alone remain.

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

All 12 sections that name Sughd