Epic Lore & Biography

Shangal was the King of Hindustan during the reign of Bahram Gur. After initial rivalries and being awed by Bahram's heroic feats, he became an ally of the Sasanian empire. When Bahram requested musicians for his people, Shangal selected ten thousand expert Luri lute-players and sent them to the Persian court.

Shahnameh Distichs Featuring this Entity (40)

چو کاموس و منشور و خاقان چین / چو بیورد و چون شنگل بافرین

“Kamus, Manshur, the Khagan of China, Bivard, and the praised Shangal,”

Kamoos • The Dawn of Iranian Reinforcements and Kamus's Fatal Arrogance بیت #13547

شوم بازگویم بگردان همین / بمنشور و شنگل بخاقان چین

“I shall return and relate these terms to our heroes—to Manshur, Shangal, and the Khaqan of Chin.”

Khaghan • Piran Before Rostam: Lament for Siyavash and the Array of Battle بیت #14339

چنین گفت شنگل که ای سرفراز / چه باید کشیدن سخنها دراز

“Then Shangal spoke up: 'O exalted King, why must we stretch out these words so long?'”

Khaghan • Piran Before Rostam: Lament for Siyavash and the Array of Battle بیت #14398

چو بشنید لشکر ز شنگل سخن / جوان شد دل مرد گشته کهن

“When the army heard these words from Shangal, even the hearts of old veterans grew young again.”

Khaghan • Piran Before Rostam: Lament for Siyavash and the Array of Battle بیت #14412

همه نامداران و خاقان چین / گرفتند بر شاه هند آفرین

“All the chieftains and the Khagan of China showered praises upon the King of India.”

Khaghan • Piran Before Rostam: Lament for Siyavash and the Array of Battle بیت #14414

بهومان بگفت آنچ شنگل بگفت / سپه گشت با او به پیگار جفت

“Piran recounted to Houman what Shangal had blustered, and how the army now prepared for battle alongside him.”

Khaghan • Piran Before Rostam: Lament for Siyavash and the Array of Battle بیت #14419

غمی گشت هومان ازان کار سخت / برآشفت با شنگل شوربخت

“Houman grew deeply grieved by this grave turn of events, and raged against ill-fated Shangal.”

Khaghan • Piran Before Rostam: Lament for Siyavash and the Array of Battle بیت #14420

بیامد بره پیش کلباد گفت / که شنگل مگر با خرد نیست جفت

“Coming along the path to Kolbad, Houman remarked, "Surely Shangal is utterly devoid of wisdom!"”

Khaghan • Piran Before Rostam: Lament for Siyavash and the Array of Battle بیت #14422

همی گشت پیران به پیش سپاه / بیامد بر شنگل رزم‌خواه

“Piran paraded before the army, and came before Shangal, eager for combat.”

Khaghan • Piran Before Rostam: Lament for Siyavash and the Array of Battle بیت #14521

بدو گفت کای نامبردار هند / ز بربر بفرمان تو تا بسند

“He said to him, 'O renowned hero of Hind, from Barbar unto Sind all are under your command!”

Khaghan • Piran Before Rostam: Lament for Siyavash and the Array of Battle بیت #14522

بدو گفت شنگل من از گفت خویش / نگردم نبینی ز من کم و بیش

“Shangal replied to him, 'I shall not turn back from my word; you will see no shortage or failing in me.”

Khaghan • Piran Before Rostam: Lament for Siyavash and the Array of Battle بیت #14525

همی گشت شنگل میان دو صف / یکی تیغ هندی گرفته بکف

“Shangal paraded between the two battle lines, bearing a steel blade of Hind in his hand.”

Khaghan • Piran Before Rostam: Lament for Siyavash and the Array of Battle بیت #14541

بغرید شنگل ز پیش سپاه / منم گفت گرداوژن رزم‌خواه

“Shangal roared from before the host, saying: 'I am the battle-seeking, brave warrior!'”

Khaghan • Rostam's Battle with Shangal and the Destruction of the Host of Chin and Suqlab بیت #14615

چو آواز شنگل برستم رسید / ز لشکر نگه کرد و او را بدید

“When the sound of Shangal reached Rostam, he looked through the army and spotted him.”

Khaghan • Rostam's Battle with Shangal and the Destruction of the Host of Chin and Suqlab بیت #14617

بدو گفت هان آمدم رزمخواه / نگر تا نگیری بلشکر پناه

“He said to him: 'Lo, I have come seeking battle! Beware that you do not take shelter in your army!'”

Khaghan • Rostam's Battle with Shangal and the Destruction of the Host of Chin and Suqlab بیت #14618

بر شنگل آمد به آواز گفت / که ای بدنژاد فرومایه جفت

“He rode up to Shangal and called out: 'O ill-bred, ignoble fellow!'”

Khaghan • Rostam's Battle with Shangal and the Destruction of the Host of Chin and Suqlab بیت #14623

یکی نیزه زد برگرفتش ز زین / نگونسار کرد و بزد بر زمین

“He struck him with a lance, lifted him out of the saddle, turned him upside down, and slammed him to the ground.”

Khaghan • Rostam's Battle with Shangal and the Destruction of the Host of Chin and Suqlab بیت #14627

چو شنگل گریزان شد از پیلتن / پراگنده گشتند زان انجمن

“As Shangal fled from the elephant-bodied Rostam, that assembly scattered.”

Khaghan • Rostam's Battle with Shangal and the Destruction of the Host of Chin and Suqlab بیت #14630

بجان شنگل از دست رستم بجست / زره بود و جوشن تنش را نخست

“Shangal escaped with his life from Rostam's hand, for his chainmail and armor protected his body at first.”

Khaghan • Rostam's Battle with Shangal and the Destruction of the Host of Chin and Suqlab بیت #14632

چنین گفت شنگل که این مرد نیست / کس او را بگیتی هم آورد نیست

“Shangal spoke thus: 'This is no man! No one in the world is a match for him!'”

Khaghan • Rostam's Battle with Shangal and the Destruction of the Host of Chin and Suqlab بیت #14633

بدو گفت خاقان ترا بامداد / دگر بود رای و دگر بود یاد

“The Khaqan said to him: 'In the morning, your counsel and your thoughts were quite different!'”

Khaghan • Rostam's Battle with Shangal and the Destruction of the Host of Chin and Suqlab بیت #14636

مگر ناموَر شنگل از هندوان / که از داد پیچیده دارد روان

“'Save for the renowned Shangal of the Hindus, who turns his soul away from justice.'”

Bahgoor • The Minister's Warning of Shangal's Defiance: Bahram's Secret Resolve and Epistle to India بیت #36080

تو شاهی و شنگل نگهبانِ هند / چرا باژ خواهد ز چین و زِ سِند

“'Thou art king, and Shangal is keeper of India; why should he demand tribute from China and Sind?'”

Bahgoor • The Minister's Warning of Shangal's Defiance: Bahram's Secret Resolve and Epistle to India بیت #36083

به نزدیک شَنگل نگهبان هند / ز دریای قَنوج تا مرزِ سند

“'To the presence of Shangal, keeper of India, from the Sea of Qannuj to the border of Sind.'”

Bahgoor • The Minister's Warning of Shangal's Defiance: Bahram's Secret Resolve and Epistle to India بیت #36122

چو بشنید شنگل به بهرام گفت / که رای تو با مردمی نیست جفت

“When Shangal heard this, he said to Bahram: 'Your judgment is not matched with wisdom and humanity.'”

Bahgoor • Shangal's Feast: Bahram's Triumph in Wrestling and Archery بیت #36197

چو در پیش شنگل نهادند خوان / یکی را بفرمود کو را بخوان

“When the feast table was spread before Shangal, he bade someone to call Bahram,”

Bahgoor • Shangal's Feast: Bahram's Triumph in Wrestling and Archery بیت #36201

بشنگل چنین گفت کای شهریار / بفرمای تا من ببندم ازار

“He spoke to Shangal: 'O Sovereign! Command that I too tie a loincloth around my waist,'”

Bahgoor • Shangal's Feast: Bahram's Triumph in Wrestling and Archery بیت #36212

بخندید شنگل بدو گفت خیز / چو زیر آوری خون ایشان بریز

“Shangal laughed and said to him: 'Rise! And when you bring them down, spill their blood!'”

Bahgoor • Shangal's Feast: Bahram's Triumph in Wrestling and Archery بیت #36214

بدو مانده بد شنگل اندر شگفت / ازان برز بالا و آن زور و کفت

“Shangal remained in awe of him, amazed by that lofty stature, strength, and massive shoulders.”

Bahgoor • Shangal's Feast: Bahram's Triumph in Wrestling and Archery بیت #36218

شه هندوان باره را برنشست / به میدان خرامید چوگان به دست

“The King of the Indians mounted his steed and trotted to the field with polo mallet in hand.”

Bahgoor • Shangal's Feast: Bahram's Triumph in Wrestling and Archery بیت #36223

به شنگل چنین گفت کای شهریار / چنان دان که هستند با من سوار

“Bahram spoke thus to Shangal: 'O Sovereign! Know that there are riders with me,'”

Bahgoor • Shangal's Feast: Bahram's Triumph in Wrestling and Archery بیت #36226

چنین گفت شنگل که تیر و کمان / ستون سواران بود بی‌گمان

“Shangal replied: 'Bow and arrow are surely the true pillar of all horsemen.'”

Bahgoor • Shangal's Feast: Bahram's Triumph in Wrestling and Archery بیت #36228

ز بهرام شنگل شد اندرگمان / که این فر و این برز و تیر و کمان

“Shangal grew suspicious of Bahram, marveling at his imperial splendor, stature, and skill with bow and arrow.”

Bahgoor • Shangal’s Suspicion, the Offer of Army Command, and Bahram’s Alias Borzoy بیت #36233

بخندید و بهرام را گفت شاه / که ای پرهنر با گهر پیشگاه

“The King smiled and said to Bahram: 'O accomplished one of high lineage and courtly dignity!'”

Bahgoor • Shangal’s Suspicion, the Offer of Army Command, and Bahram’s Alias Borzoy بیت #36236

بدو گفت بهرام کای شاه هند / فرستادگان را مکن ناپسند

“Bahram answered him: 'O King of India, do not speak ill or unworthily of envoys!'”

Bahgoor • Shangal’s Suspicion, the Offer of Army Command, and Bahram’s Alias Borzoy بیت #36239

بدو گفت شنگل که تندی مکن / که با تو هنوزست ما را سخن

“Shangal said to him: 'Do not be severe or hasty, for we still have matters to speak of with you.'”

Bahgoor • Shangal’s Suspicion, the Offer of Army Command, and Bahram’s Alias Borzoy بیت #36243

بگویش بران رو که باشد صواب / که پیش شه هند بفزودی آب

“'Tell him wisely that he has exalted his own honor in the presence of the King of India.'”

Bahgoor • Shangal’s Suspicion, the Offer of Army Command, and Bahram’s Alias Borzoy بیت #36250

همه پاسخ من بشنگل رسان / که من دیر ماندم به شهر کسان

“'Deliver my entire answer to Shangal, for I have stayed too long in the realm of strangers.'”

Bahgoor • Shangal’s Suspicion, the Offer of Army Command, and Bahram’s Alias Borzoy بیت #36275

چو دستور بشنید پاسخ ببرد / شنیده سخن پیش او برشمرد

“When the minister heard the answer, he brought it back and recounted all he had heard before the King.”

Bahgoor • Shangal’s Suspicion, the Offer of Army Command, and Bahram’s Alias Borzoy بیت #36276

ز پاسخ پر آژنگ شد روی شاه / چنین گفت اگر دور ماند ز راه

“At the answer, the King's face grew dark with rage and wrinkles; he spoke: 'If he strays from the path...'”

Bahgoor • Shangal’s Suspicion, the Offer of Army Command, and Bahram’s Alias Borzoy بیت #36277