Stories from the Shahnameh

King Kae Kaus is displeased

Rustam decided to go to the king himself to give him the news about the truce and explain to him its benefits. However, when King Kae Kaus heard about the truce he was very angry that an experienced warrior like Rustam had agreed to a truce when victory was in sight. He considered the truce ridiculous and ordered Rustam to go back to Siyavakhsh and ask him to disregard the truce and launch an attack on Afrasiyab.

Rustam tried to explain to the king that they had already received the benefits that they would have got after winning the war. Moreover, Siyavakhsh could not go back on his word. However, the king was adamant. He accused Rustam of misleading Siyavakhsh and being greedy for the gifts sent by Afrasiyab. He called him incompetent to handle this task and instead decided to send Toos to Siyavakhsh.

The king sent a message to Siyavakhsh, reproaching him for taking such an important decision without seeking his permission. He ordered him to launch an attack on Afrasiyab at night and if he was reluctant to initiate an attack, then he was advised to hand over the reins of the army to Toos who would be joining him in some time. Moreover, King Kae Kaus asked Siyavakhsh to send all the Turanian hostages to him so that he may kill them and seek revenge on Afrasiyab.

Siyavakhsh takes a desperate step

Siyavakhsh was very displeased at the happenings. All the orders of his father seemed unjust and unfair to him. He would rather forsake his crown and throne, than go back on his promise. He was so disillusioned with his father’s autocratic behavior that he decided to leave Iran forever.

He summoned his commanders Behram and Jang-e-Shavran and informed them of his decision. He dispatched Jang-e-Shavran to Turan sending back with him all the gifts and hostages. He also sought forgiveness from king Afrasiyab, explaining the situation to him and requesting him to help find a way out of this difficulty. To Behram, he entrusted the task of looking after the army till the arrival of Toos. The two commanders tried to dissuade Siya­vakhsh from taking such an extreme step, but Siyavakhsh was firm in his resolve.

Afrasiyab welcomes Siyavakhsh

Jang-e-Shavran went to Turan to return the gifts and hostages, and also to plead for help on behalf of Siyavakhsh. Afrasiyab was very much touched by the nobility of Siyavakhsh and consulted his wise minister Piran as to the course of action. Piran advised the king not only to give refuge to Siyavakhsh but also give him his daughter in wedlock.

Initially, Afrasiyab was apprehensive whether Siyavakhsh would remain faithful to him, but his doubts were soon put to rest by Piran. Afrasiyab sent a message to Siyavakhsh welcoming him to his palace and assured him of fatherly love. He further promised to make him the heir to his Turanian throne and told him that he was free to go back to Iran whenever he wished. This was much more than what Siyavakhsh had expected. Though he had nagging doubts about befriending an enemy, he had no option but to accept the king’s invitation.

Siyavakhsh wins over Afrasiyab

Siyavakhsh sent a letter to his father informing him of his decision and his future course of action and set off for Turan with a few of his trusted soldiers. Piran received him amidst much fanfare and with assurances of loyalty and friendship, which removed any vestige of doubt that Siyavakhsh had regarding his decision to go to Turan. Then he proceeded to the palace.

At the palace, the king himself came to receive his royal guest. Both greeted each other with much warmth and Siya­vakhsh was given a palace for himself. The following seven days were spent in celebration. Gradually, Siyava­­­­khsh and Afra­­­­siyab spent more and more time in each other’s company. They used to spend days together playing ‘Chaugan’ (a game similar to golf) and hunting. The two came so close to each other that the king even refused to see anybody except Siyavakhsh.

Siyavakhsh completed a year in Turan, during which time Piran offered him Zarireh, the eldest of his four daughters, in marriage. Siyavakhsh gratefully accepted her as his wife, and the two happily lived with each other.

Siyavakhsh marries Ferangez

Siyavakhsh’s proximity and friendship with Afrasiyab was increasing and Piran thought it fit to suggest Siyavakhsh to marry Ferangez, the daughter of king Afrasiyab. Siyavakhsh was reluctant at this arrangement as he was already married to Zarireh, but Piran insisted that it was politically the correct thing to do and would get him closer to the king. Further, such a marriage was in the interest of Turan as well as Iran. Piran also assured Siyavakhsh that he would explain to Zarireh, and she would not mind this union. After much persuasion, Siyavakhsh agreed to marry Ferangez.

The next day, Piran put the proposal of Siyavakhsh’s marriage with Ferangez before the king. The king said that he himself was considering such an alliance, but the astrologers had predicted that their progeny could prove to be his nemesis, and so he had not pursued the idea. However, Piran insisted that the progeny of a man as noble as Siyavakhsh could never go against him, and so after much persuasion, Afrasiyab finally agreed to the marriage. Piran conveyed the good tidings to Siyavakhsh, and the marriage took place within a short time followed by a seven-day celebration.

A year passed after the marriage, and Siyavakhsh saw very little of the king during this time. The king sent a messenger to Siyavakhsh and conveyed the message that he had granted him a province which extended up to China. Siya­vakhsh was very happy at this bequest and within a shorQt time set off to his province with Ferangez and Piran. In this province, he came across a beautiful piece of land where there was a mountain with breathtaking views. Siya­vakhsh decided to establish a city and build a garden and a palace over there. He set off on the task and established the city which came to be known as Ganje-Siyavakhsh or Gang­dez.

Intuition about the future

While on the way to Afra­­­siyab, Siyava­khsh had a flash of intuition that he is banished from the palace and later killed by the king because of somebody’s instigation. After his death, a great war would ensue between Iran and Turan. Siyavakhsh told Piran about this intuition, but the wise minister was not ready to believe it. However, Piran started worrying when Siyavakhsh insisted that his intuition was very strong. He felt responsible for any untoward thing that might happen, because he was instrumental in getting Siyavakhsh to Turan.

Eight days after this incident, Piran received a message from the king asking him to proceed to provinces between China and Sind to collect taxes from there. He was also instructed to keep his army in the province of Khazar. Piran dutifully set off towards Hind through China.

Establishing of Siyavakhsh-gard

Siyavakhsh established another city in his province. This city was called Siyavakhsh-gard, and its specialty was the palace, on the walls of which were sculpted figures of the king and warriors of Iran on one side and Turan on the other. This palace became renowned throughout Turan, and even Piran visited the city and later narrated its beauty to king Afrasiyab, who was very pleased at Siyavakhsh’s achievements.

Afrasiyab sent his brother Karsivaz to personally go and see Siyavakhsh’s new city and congratulate him on his behalf. Karsivaz went to Siyavakhsh-gard where Siyavakhsh received him very warmly. Just at this time, Siyava­khsh received the pleasant news that his first wife Zarireh had delivered a baby boy who was named Farud.

Karsivaz was filled with envy at seeing the riches inside the palace. Even previously he had grudged the happiness and success of Siyavakhsh, as the king was giving too much importance to him, and now he had started giving him parts of his kingdom. He feared that Afrasiyab may give all his wealth to Siyavakhsh, now that he was also his son-in-law. In his treacherous mind he worked out a plan whereby Siyavakhsh would be dishonoured in the eyes of the king.

During the following days Siyava­khsh showed great hospitality to Karsivaz. He took him for hunting, Chaugan (golf) and other martial sports. At Karsivaz’s request Siyavakhsh even showed his own martial prowess to him. At first Karsivaz requested for a friendly duel, which Siyavakhsh politely declined saying a duel could never be friendly. However, at Karsivaz’s insistence he had a duel with Gorvizareh and Damur — two of the best Turanian paladins. Within no time, Siyavakhsh threw them off their saddles and rendered them powerless. Karsivaz was dumbstruck at Siya­vakhsh’s strength and prowess. After eight days when Karsivaz decided to leave, Siyavakhsh gave a very pleasing and courteous letter to the king. But Karsivaz had already decided to disgrace him and poison the king’s mind against him.

Afrasiyab’s mind is poisoned

Afrasiyab was very pleased at Karsivaz’s return and eager to know about Siyavakhsh. Karsivaz delivered to him Siyavakhsh’s letter, but even before the king could read the letter, Karsivaz started instigating the king against Siyavakhsh saying that he was in contact with his father in Iran, and also corresponded with China and Rome seeking their help in planning a revolt against him. He reprimanded the king for placing so much confidence in an Iranian.

The king could not believe his ears, and asked for some time to think over the matter. However, Karsivaz’s incessant provocation had its effect, and he started believing his brother. At first, Afrasiyab suggested that Siyavakhsh be sent back to Iran, but Karsivaz advised him against this, saying that would be too dangerous, as he knew all the secrets of Turan.

Thereafter Afrasiyab suggested that Siyavakhsh be invited to the palace so that any misunderstandings may be cleared. But Karsivaz prevented this meeting too by saying that the Iranian prince was too proud to come to him. Afrasiyab now did not see any option open before him and became very pensive. Karsivaz continued poisoning his mind by cooking up false stories against Siyavakhsh. These instigations had the desired effect, and Afrasiyab decided to take action against the young Iranian prince.

Siyavakhsh instigated

Afrasiyab summoned Karsivaz and asked him to go and investigate Siyavakhsh’s palace and also invite him and Ferangez to his palace. Karsivaz went to Siyavakhsh and told him that the king had invited him with his wife. Siyavakhsh at once showed readiness to go and meet the king, but since Karsivaz did not want this to happen, he started shedding crocodile tears.

On inquiring about the reason for his grief, Karsivaz said that the king was no longer well-disposed towards him and had decided to kill him. He further lied to Siyavakhsh that it was for his safety that he forbade him to go to Afrasiyab. At first Siyavakhsh was hesitant in accepting Karsivaz’s advice, but finally he fell into the trap and instead of going to Afrasiyab decided to send a letter with Karsivaz informing the king of his inability to meet him because of Ferangez’ indifferent health.

Karsivaz, happy that his treacherous plan was succeeding, hastened to the king feigning fright and terror all over his face. When Afrasiyab asked him the reason for his fright, Karsivaz gave him a very distorted picture of Siyavakhsh, saying that he had kept close links with China and Iran and was planning an attack on him in the near future. On hearing this misinformation, Afrasiyab was so furious that he did not even read Siyavakhsh’s letter and started preparing for an attack.

Reprinted from the book Serialized Stories from the Iranian Epic Shahnameh.