Epic Lore & Biography

Qobad was the wise, aged brother of Qaran, son of Kaveh, and a veteran champion from the era of King Manuchehr. During the Battle of Dehestan, when none of the younger Iranian warriors dared answer the challenge of the Turanian champion Barman, Qobad stepped forward. Despite his brother Qaran's distraught pleas, Qobad embraced his fate as a warrior. After battling valiantly from morning until dusk, he was struck down by Barman's javelin and perished on the field.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (16)

چپ لشکرش را بگرشاسپ داد / ابر میمنه سام یل با قباد

“He gave the left wing of his host to Garshasp, and placed valiant Sam alongside Qobad upon the right wing.”

Fereydoon • The March of Salm and Tur Against Iran بیت #1715

طلایه به پیش اندرون چون قباد / کمین ور چو گرد تلیمان نژاد

“Qobad moved ahead in the vanguard, while the warrior from Taliman's line lay in ambush.”

Fereydoon • The March of Salm and Tur Against Iran بیت #1719

یکایک طلایه بیامد قباد / چو تور آگهی یافت آمد چو باد

“One by one the vanguard advanced, and when Qobad appeared, Tur came riding like the wind.”

Fereydoon • The March of Salm and Tur Against Iran بیت #1725

بدو گفت نزد منوچهر شو / بگویش که ای بی‌پدر شاه نو

“Tur said to him: 'Go to Manuchehr, and say to him: O new king who hast no father!'”

Fereydoon • The March of Salm and Tur Against Iran بیت #1726

بدو گفت آری گزارم پیام / بدین سان که گفتی و بردی تو نام

“Qobad replied: 'Yea, I shall convey thy message exactly as thou hast spoken and named!'”

Fereydoon • The March of Salm and Tur Against Iran بیت #1728

قباد آمد آنگه به نزدیک شاه / بگفت آنچه بشنید ازان رزم خواه

“Then Qobad returned into the presence of the Shah, and recounted all he had heard from those seekers of war.”

Fereydoon • The March of Salm and Tur Against Iran بیت #1735

کس از نامدارانش پاسخ نداد / مگر پیرگشته دلاور قباد

“Not one of his renowned warriors answered, save for the aged and courageous Qobad.”

Nozar • The Battle of Dehestan: The Death of Qobad and the Fury of Qaran بیت #3753

دژم گشت سالار بسیار هوش / ز گفت برادر برآمد به جوش

“The wise commander grew dismayed, his spirit boiling at his brother's words.”

Nozar • The Battle of Dehestan: The Death of Qobad and the Fury of Qaran بیت #3754

دل قارن آزرده گشت از قباد / میان دلیران زبان برگشاد

“Qaran’s heart was grieved by Qobad, and he raised his voice among the champions.”

Nozar • The Battle of Dehestan: The Death of Qobad and the Fury of Qaran بیت #3757

نگه کن که با قارن رزم زن! / چه گوید قباد اندران انجمن:

“Behold what Qobad answered in that assembly to Qaran, the warrior champion:”

Nozar • The Battle of Dehestan: The Death of Qobad and the Fury of Qaran بیت #3762

چنین گفت مر بارمان را قباد / که یکچند گیتی مرا داد داد

“Qobad answered Barman: 'For a long season the world granted me justice and life.'”

Nozar • The Battle of Dehestan: The Death of Qobad and the Fury of Qaran بیت #3776

یکی خشت زد بر سرین قباد / که بند کمرگاه او برگشاد

“He hurled a short spear full at Qobad's hip, shattering the heavy belt about his waist.”

Nozar • The Battle of Dehestan: The Death of Qobad and the Fury of Qaran بیت #3781

ز اسپ اندر آمد نگونسار سر / شد آن شیردل پیر سالار سر

“Headlong he tumbled from his charger down; thus perished that brave lion-hearted elder, the army's chieftain.”

Nozar • The Battle of Dehestan: The Death of Qobad and the Fury of Qaran بیت #3782

چو او کشته شد قارن رزمجوی / سپه را بیاورد و بنهاد روی

“When Qobad was slain, the battle-seeking Qaran marshaled his host and advanced straight toward the enemy.”

Nozar • The Battle of Dehestan: The Death of Qobad and the Fury of Qaran بیت #3785

بر نوذر آمد به پرده سرای / ز خون برادر شده دل ز جای

“He came before Nowzar in the royal pavilion, his heart distraught with sorrow for his brother's blood.”

Nozar • The Battle of Dehestan: The Death of Qobad and the Fury of Qaran بیت #3795

چو خورشید بادا روان قباد / ترا زین جهان جاودان بهر باد

“'May Qobad's soul shine luminous as the sun, and may your portion in this mortal world endure forever!'”

Nozar • The Battle of Dehestan: The Death of Qobad and the Fury of Qaran بیت #3798