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

Turkistanترکستان

tur-kees-TAHN

The land of the Turks, beyond the Jihun.

In the poem
First at B14.14, The Khan Is Taken Prisoner; last at E6.53, Caesar Seeks the Cross of Christ
Named
11 times, in 9 sections
Main stories
E6 Khosrow Parviz (5); E1 The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters (3); B14 The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin (1)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Turkistan most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Turkistan. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.
B14.14

The Khan Is Taken Prisoner

Under a storm of arrows, with Rohham guarding his back, Rostam sweeps enemy chiefs from their saddles with his kamand. The Khan sends a smooth-tongued envoy to ask for peace; Rostam snares the envoy, then drags the Khan from his white elephant. The poet reflects on fortune.

  • B14.14.18
    He cried, “May dark and faithless AhrimanBe wed to Chin and all of Turkistan!
Turkistan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
D5.35

Iskandar Goes to Babil and Writes to Arastatilis

Fearing an Iranian revenge on Rum, Iskandar plans to destroy the Kayanian nobles; Arastatilis argues him out of it and has him parcel Iran among tribal kings instead. At Babil a monstrous stillbirth is read as an omen of his end, and he falls ill.

  • D5.35.17
    From Turkistan and Hind their ranks will flow,From Saklab and from Chin, a countless foe.
Turkistan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
D9.9

Bahram Goor Marches to Claim the Throne

Told that his father is dead and Khosrow crowned, Bahram mourns a month, then takes counsel with Monzer. Numan raises ten thousand Arab horsemen and harries Iran as far as Tisfoon. News of the vacant throne brings raiders from Rum, Chin, Hind and Makran.

  • D9.9.32
    News went to Rum and Chin, to Turkistan,To Hind and to Makran from troubled Iran.
Turkistan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E1.5

Anooshirvan Marches against the Khan

The Shah’s council urges caution: the Heytalians deserve their ruin for Pirooz’s blood, but Rum may strike while the Shah is in the east. He rebukes them for growing soft on banquets, and at the new moon leads the army out of Madain toward Gorgan.

  • E1.5.12
    From Chakh, Chin, Turkistan, and Khutan’s groundThey gathered troops that knew no count or bound.
Turkistan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E1.12

Anooshirvan’s Just Rule

The Shah returns to his throne and the world becomes a garden: thieves leave silver lying in the road, and trade flows in from Chin, Hind and Rum. Each dawn a herald proclaims his law — debts paid from the treasury, adultery, trespass and concealment punished.

  • E1.12.11
    From Turkistan, from Chin and Saklab cameGreat wares that magnified Iran’s fair fame.
  • E1.12.21
    From Turkistan and Chin, from Hind and Rum,They came; each homestead’s herds outgrew their room.
Turkistan named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E6.34

Bahram Chubin Slays the Lion-Ape

A monster called the Lion-Ape has swallowed the Khan’s daughter, and the Khan is too ashamed to ask for vengeance. His queen appeals to Bahram, who rides out alone and kills the beast with arrows, spear and sword. The Khan gives him a second daughter in marriage.

  • E6.34.47
    She said, “May Chin and Turkistan through youGrow fortunate in all they seek and do.
Turkistan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E6.37

Bahram Falls by Kharrad’s Design

Kharrad arms Kulun with a knife and the Khan’s seal, stolen in clay by the queen. At Marv, on the unlucky Bahram day, Kulun stabs Bahram and keeps silent under torture. Bahram counsels his sister, bequeaths his army to Yalan-sina, repents, and dies.

  • E6.37.3
    “Let none from Chin or Turkistan pass through,To tell Khosrow what we intend to do.
Turkistan named 1 time here · read the section in the full poem · notes
E6.53

Caesar Seeks the Cross of Christ

Caesar keeps seven days’ festival for his grandson and sends ten caravans of treasure with the envoy Khanagi. His letter praises Khosrow’s line, recalls the old feud of Salm and Tur as settled by the marriage, and asks one gift: the Cross of Christ from the Iranian treasury.

  • E6.53.53
    In Hindustan, Iran, and Turan wide,From Turkistan to Rum on every side,
  • E6.53.67
    Heytal, Chakh, Samarkand, and TurkistanAccepted lordship from the Shah of Iran.
Turkistan named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes
All 9 sections that name Turkistan
  1. B14.14 The Khan Is Taken Prisoner
  2. D5.35 Iskandar Goes to Babil and Writes to Arastatilis
  3. D9.9 Bahram Goor Marches to Claim the Throne
  4. E1.5 Anooshirvan Marches against the Khan
  5. E1.12 Anooshirvan’s Just Rule
  6. E6.34 Bahram Chubin Slays the Lion-Ape
  7. E6.37 Bahram Falls by Kharrad’s Design
  8. E6.48 Gurdiyeh Displays Her Grace and Skill
  9. E6.53 Caesar Seeks the Cross of Christ

On the maps

D5.35–D5.39Babil and the Death of Iskandar

Where the name appears

Named mentions by book, from the Universe Registry, the index behind this site. Titles and epithets are not counted.
B14The Great Battle with the Khan of Chin1D5The Iskandar Cycle1D9Yazdegard I and the Rise of Bahram Goor1E1The Story of Mahbud and Other Matters3E6Khosrow Parviz5

More in the Glossary and the index of places.