This autumn, Bukhara magazine hosted an engaging session titled The Geography of Shahnameh Night, where prominent Shahnameh scholars shared their perspectives. Two talks from this event were published in the latest issue of the Amordad biweekly (Issue 493, Shahnameh section):
The Geography of Shahnameh: Neither Mythical nor Legendary by Dr. Mehdi Seyedi Farrokh, a researcher specializing in Iran’s historical geography.
“Need for research on geographic names” by Dr. Zagros Zand, a university professor and Shahnameh expert.
A third remarkable lecture was delivered by Dr. Mohammad Jafar Yahaghi, a distinguished professor of Persian language and literature at Mashhad University and a co-founder of Kheradsara-ye Ferdowsi. Dr. Yahaghi introduced an intriguing proposal: compiling geographical concepts in Shahnameh and developing a map to visualize the geographical influences within the epic.
This pioneering idea is now being shared, albeit slightly delayed, as priority was given to publishing the other two talks in the Amordad biweekly and on its website. Dr. Yahaghi’s proposal presents an innovative approach to deepening our understanding of Shahnameh’s geographical dimensions.
Dr. Mohammad Jafar Yahaghi: Shahnameh’s historical geography should be studied from all aspects; vertically and in-depth
Dr. Mohammad Jafar Yahaghi asserts that the historical geography of Shahnameh should be examined both in its depth and breadth. The cultural breadth of Shahnameh spans the vast expanse of Aryan heritage, and upon closer examination, it even surpasses these boundaries. Its depth delves into the annals of history and reaches the distant horizons of thought and awareness, leaving a lasting imprint on geographical and cultural landscapes.
This profound influence arises from two primary factors: its deep roots and cultural resonance. Shahnameh is deeply rooted because it aligns with historical realities, and it resonates culturally because it has gradually seeped into the hearts of its audience, becoming an intrinsic belief and cherished attachment. Once something becomes part of the fabric of history, it gains enduring roots and sacredness.
In the realm of mythology, books can serve as inspiring texts, valuable records of epic and mythical knowledge. Such works acquire cultural significance within specific domains, shaping beliefs connected to places and landscapes while fostering unity among people of shared cultural heritage.
Homer’s Iliad gives such an example. It has inspired beliefs that permeate Western mythology, associating gods, locations, and mountains with its narratives. The trails of gods and their encounters with Greek heroes are vividly reflected in the mountains of Greece. Similarly, Shahnameh plays a comparable role within the cultural and historical framework of Iran, creating a profound and enduring cultural legacy.
The Integration of Iran’s Place Names with Shahnameh’s Heritage
Across Iran, countless natural landmarks—mountains, rivers, rocky terrains, springs, caves, passes, and even ancient trees—carry names rooted in the epic and historical narratives of Shahnameh. In Tus, Khorasan, examples like Ajdhar-Kuh (Dragon Mountain), Cheshmeh-Sar, Arsalan Jazeb, Kashafrood, Jaram, and Sefid-Kuh are closely tied to epic geography, particularly Shahnameh-inspired folklore that has taken root among the people over time.
This pattern is equally evident in Qorveh, Kurdistan, where numerous geographical features draw their names directly from Shahnameh. Many cities throughout Iran similarly owe their origins or names to mythical figures, often depicted as their founders or restorers—legendary kings and epic heroes.
The ancient text Tarikh-e Sistan (History of Sistan) is replete with place names linked to mythical and heroic figures. Similarly, towns and villages in the southern and western regions of Iran, particularly in Kurdistan, Kermanshah, Hamedan, and across Fars and Khuzestan, reflect a deep connection to Shahnameh’s mythical and epic legacy. This cultural phenomenon extends beyond Iran’s borders. The influence of Shahnameh’s narratives can be seen in regions historically tied to Aryan culture, from western China, India, Central Asia, and Afghanistan to the Caucasus, Anatolia, and the Mediterranean coasts. These shared connections have become integral to the cultural identity of people across these areas, highlighting the far-reaching impact of Shahnameh’s geographical and cultural heritage.
Abundance of Shahnameh-related place names
The density of place names tied to Shahnameh is notably higher in regions like Sogdia, Samarkand, Bukhara, Afghanistan—especially Zabulistan and Balochistan—as well as Lorestan and Iran’s central highlands. These areas, for various reasons, show stronger connections to the epic’s legacy. Folklore and historical texts reveal a rich diversity of beliefs across these regions. For example, Enjavi Shirazi’s Ferdowsi and the People highlights that most folk tales about Shahnameh and its heroes originate from listeners in Iran’s central, western, and southwestern areas.
These beliefs are often more pronounced in regions with strategic importance or histories of political conflict and tribal disputes. Here, epic and mythological events have been invoked to foster resilience and unity, with communities attributing sacredness and strength to their local landscapes by associating them with Shahnameh’s legends.
It is no surprise that prominent heroes like Sohrab have multiple burial sites attributed to them—in locations as far-flung as Samangan in Afghanistan, Sabzevar in Iran, and even eastern China. Similarly, the story of Forud has been linked to Kalat in southern Khorasan, Taft in Yazd, and Eqlid in Fars. Kurdish regions often situate Shahnameh’s events in western Iran, while tribes in the Zagros mountains, particularly in Lorestan, believe that events surrounding Kay Khosrow occurred in Boyer-Ahmad, Yasuj, and specifically Sisakht. These communities even identify local landmarks tied to these tales, reflecting their enduring belief in the mythical power of their landscapes.
A Proposal for Documenting Shahnameh’s Geographic Influence
For a long time, I have believed in the importance of gathering Shahnameh’s geographic traditions to create a comprehensive map of its cultural and historical impact. A major obstacle, however, is that much of this knowledge is preserved orally and only a small portion exists in written form. To undertake a meaningful and thorough project, oral accounts from elders must be recorded, organized, and compared with existing written sources—potentially enriching the latter. Achieving this requires broad participation, sufficient funding, and above all, a strong and unwavering commitment.
This effort should gain formal recognition from an established academic institution or a leading university that can provide the necessary structure, personnel, and tools. Significant insights could be gathered from Central Asia, Afghanistan, and areas beyond. While structured collaboration in Afghanistan may be challenging, Afghan students in Iranian and Tajik universities, alongside experts within and outside the country, can help collect and systematize this information. Our organization, Kheradsaraye Ferdowsi, is ready to engage its researchers and Shahnameh enthusiasts to contribute to this effort. Similarly, the Tajik Academy of Sciences could play an essential role in collecting and preserving data from Central Asia.
Implementing this idea requires a clear methodology and a structured plan. Local researchers and community members can support fieldwork, ensuring the collection of detailed and region-specific data. Visual documentation should accompany the process, covering all areas mentioned in Shahnameh. By approaching this task scientifically and with genuine dedication, a significant leap can be made in studying Shahnameh’s historical geography, ultimately creating a cultural map that reflects its far-reaching influence.
