As dawn broke across the horizon and the starlight faded into morning, King Goshtasp ordered the great war drums to be struck upon the backs of war-elephants, moving the chosen host of Iran down into the open plain. Scouts posted along the high passes arrived at a gallop, bringing word to the king that an endless tide of Turks and Chinese had enveloped the valleys, mountains, and plains in every direction.
King Goshtasp summoned his valiant brother Zarir, entrusting him with the royal standard and commanding him to array the war-elephants and organize the battle lines. Zarir swiftly executed the royal decree: he committed fifty thousand elite horsemen to Prince Esfandiyar to command one wing of the army, while the opposite flank was fortified with battle-hardened, lion-hearted warriors. The center of the host was bestowed upon Grami, a champion equal in spirit and stature to the king himself, while the rearguard was entrusted to the young Bastur, the shining lamp of royal lineage. Goshtasp then ascended a high mountain vantage point, seated himself upon a radiant throne, and sorrowfully surveyed the vast preparations for the impending slaughter.
Across the battlefield, King Arjasp of Turan arrayed his formidable forces in like manner. He selected thirty thousand battle-tested horsemen from Khallukh and placed them under Bidarafsh, bearer of the grand war drum and colorful banner, committing one wing of the army to his charge. The other wing he gave to Gorgsar along with one hundred thousand chosen riders. The core of his army was entrusted to the spellbinding warrior Namkhwast and thousands of renowned fighters. Arjasp himself, flanked by one hundred thousand valiant warriors who had proven their prowess across the world, took position at the rear to command the reserve. Finally, Arjasp appointed his battle-seasoned son Kahram—a veteran who had weathered countless hardships—as supreme commander of the entire Turanian host.