Shahnameh (Shahnama) by Ferdowsi
Copy commisioned by Qiwam al-Daulah wa'l-Din Hasan
of the Inju Dynasty,
Ilkhanid governor of Shiraz, in March 1341CE

Hunt in the mountains.
Frontispiece from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); Illumination containing a Dedication to Qiwamuddawla wa'l-Din Hasan
Freer | Sackler S1986.113


A Ruler Enthroned. Frontispiece.
Freer | Sackler S1986.112

Preface



Firdausi and the poets of Ghazna.

FIRDAUSI AND THE COURT POETS OF GHAZNI

FOLIO FROM A DISPERSED COPY OF FIRDAUSI’S SHAHNAMEH (BOOK OF KINGS)

Accession Number: AKM88
Place: Iran, Shiraz
Dimensions: 37 x 30.4 cm
Date: 741 AH / 1341
Materials and Technique: Ink, coloured pigments and gold on paper
This was originally the fourth folio in a volume of Firdausi’s Shahnameh (Book of Kings) that was copied and illustrated in 1341 in the city of Shiraz, then governed by Inju administrators on behalf of Iran’s ruling Ilkhanid or Mongol dynasty (1256–1353). It would have appeared before the beginning of Firdausi’s epic poem, which recounts the story of Iran from mythical times through to the arrival of the Muslim Arabs in the 7th century AD.

Further Reading

Part of this preface concerns the (largely apocryphal) biography of the poet Firdausi. In need of patronage and financial support to finish the Shahnameh (which would, in fact, take 30 years to complete), Firdausi left his hometown of Tus in northeastern Iran, and travelled to the realm of Sultan Mahmud, ruler of the Ghaznavid dynasty, in Ghazni, the southeastern province of present-day Afghanistan. There he encountered three court poets—‘Unsari, Farrukhi, and ‘Asjadi—enjoying themselves in a garden. Thinking to trick the newcomer, each poet recited one line (misra) of an impromptu quatrain and challenged Firdausi to come up with the fourth and final line. Firdausi excelled at this test of his poetic acumen, with a verse invoking how the Iranian hero Giv speared the Turanian warrior Pashan to death. The three Ghaznavid poets immediately recognized him as worthy of inclusion in their company and of presentation to Sultan Mahmud.

The lines above and flanking the little illustration at the bottom of this folio recount the poetic test. The composition itself has Firdausi seated on the left, facing ‘Unsari, Farruki and ‘Asjadi and with each holding a wine cup. And whereas these three poets are dressed in relatively simply robes, Firdausi’s fancier garment is adorned with a lotus blossom, perhaps to indicate his intellectual superiority. Leafy branches fill the background, indicating the garden setting where this literary contest occurred.

— Marianna Shreve Simpson
Source: Aga Khan Museum

---

Geneva, Aga Khan Trust for Culture
Title of Work: Shahnama (1341)
Manuscript: 2005.1.28-37 (Ir.M. 6-6/I)
English Title: Firdawsi and the three court poets of Ghazna
Dimensions (h x w): 68 x 152 mm
Reconstructed Folio: 056r
Hijri Date: 741 Dhu'l-Qa'da 20
Gregorian Date: 1341 May 14
School: Inju, Shiraz
Source: Shahnama Project

Chapter 1 - Kayumars (30 years)



Hushang kills the Black Div.
Musée d'art et d'histoire, Geneva

Chapter 6 Faridun (500 years)



The murder of Iraj.

Manuchihr and Qaran fight Salm [Manuchihr kills Salm].
Aga Khan Museum AKM28

Chapter 7 Manuchihr


Sam recognizes his son Zal in the Simurgh's nest.

Title: Sam, Zal, Simurgh Category: Persian Painting Object Name: Shah-nameh of 1341. Firdawsi. Shahnamah Detail: Painted under the Inju dynasty Location: Iran Dynasty: Inju Sabah, Nasser Sabah al-Ahmad -- Art collections Date: 1341 Current Exhibition Site: Mathaf al-Kuwayt al-Watani Source: University of Washington Digital Collection

The al-Sabah Collection. Kuwait National Museum, Kuwait Title of Work: Shahnama (1341) Manuscript: Qavam al-Din Accession Number: LNS 36 MS Chapter 7 - Manuchihr (120 years) Scene: Sam recognizes his son Zal in the Simurgh's nest Reconstructed Folio: 021r Hijri Date: 741 Dhu'l-Qa'da 20 Gregorian Date: 1341 May 14 School: Shiraz Source: Shahnama Project

The meeting of Zāl and Rudaba, father and mother of Rustam. [Zal sees Rudaba on the roof of her palace].
Museum of Fine arts, Boston



Manuchihr learns about Zal and Rudaba.
Aga Khan Museum AKM29

Chapter 8 Nauzar


Zāl joins Miḥrāb in battling the Turanians. [Zal kills Khazarvan in combat]
The Walters W.677

Chapter 10 Garshasp


Zal tells Rustam to prepare for war against the Turanians.
British Museum 1925,0220,0.1

Chapter 11 Kay Qubad


Rustam Lifts Afrāsiyāb from the Saddle. [Rustam lifts Afrasiyab by the belt]
Freer | Sackler F1952.35

Chapter 12 Kay Kavus



Rustam's fourth labour: he kills the witch / Rustam relaxes.
Rustam camps in a field and gets into a fight with the watchman.
Rustam's fifth labour: he lassoes Aulad.
Les Musées d'art et d'histoire, Geneva, 1971-0107-0369.



The King of Mazandaran changes himself into a rock. 1341 Shahnama - Inju Dynasty, Shiraz.
Les Musées d'art et d'histoire, Geneva, 1971-0107-0332.


Shah Kay Kavus Attempts To Fly To Heaven. [Kay Kavus airborne]
Aga Khan's Museum



Firdausi and his book introduced to Sultan Mahmud

Accession Number: Per 110.4v
Scene described by text: Rustam kills Alkus in combat
English Title: The book presented to Sultan Mahmud sitting on his throne
Dimensions (h x w): 131 x 240 mm
Format: Stepped within borders
Reconstructed Folio: 47v
Source: Shahnama Project / The Chester Beatty Library, Dublin

Tahmina visits Rustam's chamber.
Keir Collection, Dallas, III.4



Kay Kavus summons Rustam.
Image source: Museum With No Frontiers

The fire ordeal of Siyavush.
McGill University Libraries, Montreal, Canada. Ms. Persian 4.



Siyavush Displays his Skill at Polo before Afrasiyab.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 57.51.35


Human attacks Rustam to allow Afrasiyab to escape.
Freer | Sackler F1942.11


Giv negotiates with the boatman who asks for bribes &
Kay Khusrau crosses the Oxus with Farangis and Giv.
Houston Museum of Fine Arts TR. 1654-2015

Chapter 13 Kay Khusrau



Rustam, Zal and other Pahlawands Pay Homage to Kay Khusrau [Kay Khusrau receives Rustam and Zal].
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum 1960.194


The Iranians mourn Farud [& his mother Jarira].
Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, MS 355


Rustam Pleads for Tus Before Kay Khusrau. [Rustam asks Kay Khusrau to pardon Tus.]
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 57.51.36


Human fights Tus.
Aga Khan Museum AKM32



Tus battling the Turanians. [The Iranians regroup and fight back].
The Walters W.677Ca



Rustam kills Ashkabus the Kashani and his horse.
The British Museum 1933.9.29.02v



Rustam captures and kills Kamus.

Rustam pulls the Khaqan of Chin from his elephant by lasso.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 20.1839


Rustam and the Iranian Army Besiege the Fortress of Kafur the Cannibal
[Gustaham besieges Kafur the Cannibal's fortress, then Rustam fights Kafur].
Harvard Art Museums 1960.195


Rustam/Akhwand. [Perhaps Akvan Div flings Rustam into the sea?]

Title: Rustam/Akhwand
Category: Persian Painting
Object Name: Shah-nameh of 1341. Firdawsi. Shahnamah
Detail: Painted under the Inju dynasty
Location: Iran
Dynasty: Inju
Sabah, Nasser Sabah al-Ahmad -- Art collections
Date: 1341
Current Exhibition Site: Mathaf al-Kuwayt al-Watani
Source: University of Washington Digital Collection

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London, Sotheby's
Title of Work: Shahnama (1341)
Manuscript: Qavam al-Din
Accession Number: 1967 December 6, lot 11
Chapter 13d - Rustam fights Akhvan Div
Scene: Akvan Div flings Rustam into the sea
Reconstructed Folio: 116
Hijri Date: 741 Dhu'l-Qa'da 20
Gregorian Date: 1341 May 14
Public Notes: NB, Shreve Simpson, p. 239, in her reconstruction, places this on either fol. 120 or 121, in the story of Bizhan and Manizha, but it should clearly come before the first painting in that episode, on fol. 123r.
Source: Shahnama Project

Rustam returning to Iran after killing the Div Akvan. [Kay Khusrau receives Rustam after he has killed Akvan Div].
Bonhams


Bizhan Slaughters the Wild Boars of Irman.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 29.160.22



Rustam feasts with Kay Khusrau

Rustam Rescues Bijan (Bizhan) from the Well (pit).
Freer | Sackler F1945.7



Rustam and Bizhan defeat Afrasiyab in battle
The San Diego Museum of Art 1971.55



The return of Rustam with Bijan from Turan. [Rustam comes before Kay Khusrau after returning with Bizhan]
The San Diego Museum of Art 1971.55



Bizhan kills Human.
Aga Khan Museum AKM33


Nastihan Slain by Bijan. [Nastihan makes a night attack and is killed by Bizhan].
Freer | Sackler S1986.119



Giv fights Lahhak and Farshidvard.
Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, Per 110.23v
Image source: Museum With No Frontiers



Two of the Duels between the Twelve Rukhs. The fourth combat: Furuhil fights Zangala (top); The fifth combat: Ruhham fights Barman (bottom).
Freer | Sackler S1986.115



Piran escapes from Gudarz up the mountainside.
Cleveland Museum of Art 1944.479


Lahhak and Farshidward before Afrāsiyāb
[Lahhak and Farshidvard head back to Turan].
Freer | Sackler S1986.99


Shida, Son of Afrāsiyāb, Slain by Kay Khusraw (Khusrau).
Freer | Sackler S1986.117



Kay Khusrau kills Aila.

Kay Khusrau besieges Gang Dizh.
Keir Collection, Dallas, III.005


Kay Khusrau crosses Lake Zara.
Freer | Sackler F1942.12 S1986.113



Execution of Afrāsiyāb.
The Walters W.677Ba


The Paladins of Kay Khusrau Perish in a Snowstorm.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 36.113.2

Chapter 14 Luhrasp


Gushtasp kills a dragon in Rum.
Freer | Sackler F1942.11
Note the chamfron.


Story of Luhrasp. [perhaps 'Luhrasp assassinated'].
Freer | Sackler S1986.116

Chapter 15 Gushtasp



Bidarafsh kills Zarir, the brother of Gushtasp.

Iranian and Turanian Armies in Combat. [Arjasp defeats Gushtasp].
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 36.113.1



Jamasp releases Isfandiyar.
Image source: Museum With No Frontiers

Isfandiyar lassoes the Turanian hero Gurgsar.

Isfandiyar's second labour: he fights the lions.
Aga Khan Museum AKM34



Isfandiyar's third labour: he fights the dragon.
Aga Khan Museum AKM35



Isfandiyar's fifth labour: he kills the Simurgh.
Keir Collection, Dallas, III.006


Rustam Discoursing with Isfandiyar. [Rustam feasts with Isfandiyar].
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 29.160.21



Rustum Fighting with Isfandiyar. ['The first combat of Rustam and Isfandiyar'].
Albright Knox Gallery, Buffalo, New York, 1935:15.2

Chapter 20 Iskandar (14 years)


Iskandar visits Queen Qaidafa of Andalucia. [Iskandar with Queen Qaydafa and her court]
Museum of Fine arts, Boston, 20.1841


Iskandar builds a wall against Gog and Magog.
David Collection, Copenhagen, 13/1990



The great sages mourn the death of Iskandar.
McGill University Libraries, Montreal, Persian MS 5

Chapter 21 The Ashkanians (200 years)


Haftvad's daughter spinning in the garden.
Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, Per 110.60v

Chapter 22 The Sassanians: Ardashir Babakan (42 years)


Shapur Discovers Mihrak's Daughter at the Well. [Mihrak's daughter converses with Shapur].
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum 1960.192

Chapter 33 Bahram son of Shapur (14 years)


Yazdgird Shahriyar Enthroned.
Freer | Sackler S1986.118

Chapter 34 Yazdagird the Sinner



The Sasanian King Yazdigird Killed by a Sea-monster in the form of a Horse.
Chester Beatty Library, Dublin



Bahrām Gūr Ascends to the Throne. [Bahram Gur enthroned after killing the lions ?]
Keir Collection, Dallas, U.111



Bahram Gur enthroned.

The Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, Ireland
Manuscript Per 110
Chapter 35 - Bahram Gur (1) (63 years)
Accession Number: Per 110.72a
Scene: Bahram Gur enthroned
Dimensions (h x w): 114 x 235 mm
Format: Stepped within borders
Reconstructed Folio: 229r
Hijri Date: 741 Dhu'l-Qa'da 20
Gregorian Date: 1341 May 15
School: Shiraz
Source: Shahnama Project / Chester Beatty Library, Dublin

Chapter 35 Bahram Gur (1) (63 years)


Bahram Gur hunts lions.
Les Musées d'art et d'histoire, Geneva, 1971-0107-0336.


Bahrām Gūr in a peasant's house. [Bahram Gur helps the landlord's cow to produce milk again].
The Walters W.677Aa


Bahrām Gūr Slays a Dragon in India.
Freer | Sackler S1986.114

Chapter 39 Balash son of Piruz (5 years, 1 month, 6 days)


Sarafra'i Kills Khushnavaz in a Night Battle [Khushnavaz fights Sufaray].
Brooklyn Museum 86.227.133


Chapter 40 Qubad son of Piruz (40 years)


Anushirvan executes Mazdak and his followers.
Musée d'art et d'histoire, Geneva, 1971-0107-0340

Chapter 41 Kisra Anushirvan (48 years)


King Khusraw (Kisra) Anushirvan Enthroned.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art M.73.5.18



Anushirvan's fourth majlis for Buzurjmihr.
Aga Khan Museum AKM36



Gav and Talhand's forces fight for a second time.
Harvard Art Museums 2011.493



Caesar's envoys before Anushirvan.
Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, Per 110.83r

Chapter 42 Hurmuzd (14 years)

Title: Bahram Chubineh puts to flight the armies of Saveh Shah, from a Shahnameh for Qivan al-Din, the Inju vizier Date: 1341 Period: Iran: Inju dynasty (ca. 1325-1353) Medium: ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper Dimensions (H x W x D) sheet: 14 3/8 in x 11 7/8 in Credit Line: Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Edwin Binney, 3rd Accession Number: 70.27.3 Created in: Shiraz Source: Portland Art Museum

Ayin Gushtasp is murdered.
Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, Per 110.85v

Chapter 43 Khusrau Parviz (38 years)



Bahram Chubina Enthroned.
Minneapolis Institute of Art, USA, 51.37.23


Kharrad Recognizes the Princess as being an Automaton [Gustaham in conversation with the weeping talisman, then, Kharrad Barzin investigates the weeping talisman and reveals its secret].
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 36.113.3

Chapter 50 Yazdagird (16 years)



Sa'd-i Vaqqas kills Rustam.

Bizhan kills Mahuy and his sons to avenge the murder of Yazdigird and enthronement.
Aga Khan Museum AKM37



Finispiece, Enthronement
Aga Khan Museum AKM37v