Iran-Turan war

---

Iran-Turan war in the Shahnameh
A scene from the Iran-Turan wars
Shahnameh Wars
Other names	Pashang War
The War brigade	War of Countries
Countries involved	Iran, Turan, Zabol
Kings involved	Nowzar, Pashang, Zāl

Iran-Turan war (Persian: جنگ ایران و توران‎) began with the accession of Nowzar to the Iranian monarchy. During Manuchehr's reign, the Turanians did not dare attack Iran. But after Manouchehr's death and Nowzar's ascension to the throne of Iran, the Turanian King Pashang could take revenge for past Turanian defeats. By the time of Fereydun, Manuchehr had defeated them severely, and Tur had killed a Turanian king.

The excuse for the attack

King Turan Pashang was delighted to hear of Manouchehr's death, gathering all his commanders in a meeting and expressing his gratitude. He declared it was time to take revenge on the Iranians. Zadashm, the eldest son of Pashang, became commander of the Turan Corps and led the attack on Iran.

As soon as news of the Turanian invasion reached Iran, the new King of Persia and his allies prepared to defend themselves. Several large states, ruled by Qaren, Taliman, and Shapur, were considered Iran's allies. According to the Shahnameh, the invasion began at the beginning of the New Year, or Nowruz, and the capital of Nowzar was besieged. The attack resulted in the death of the Iranian king.

After Nowzar's death, the Iranian government collapsed, and the remaining lands were ruled by Zāl, King of Zabol. This situation continued until the time of Kay Kāvus and Kay Khosrow.

Kay Khosrow's Wars

The murder of Nowzar by Afrasiab

Throughout the history of the Shahnameh, there have been at least four major wars between Iran and Turan. The first war was between Iran and Turan during the reign of Nowzar. Kay Khosrow waged three successive wars against Turan or Afrasiab: the Battle of Kamus, the Khaqan War, the Davazdah Rokh War, and the Great Kay Khosrow War. The Kay Khosrow Wars eventually led to the complete extinction of the Turanian government, and the Iranians gained complete independence after centuries. Kay Khosrow had a Turanian mother and an Iranian father; thus, both of his grandfathers were kings: Afrasiab, King of Turan, and King Kay Kāvus of Iran.

The story of Kay Khosrow's escape from Turan to Iran is extensively detailed, but what is clear is that Kay Khosrow was very angry with his grandfather Afrasiab. Upon arriving in Iran and nearing Kay Kāvus, he swore at the Fire temple that he would never have relations with Afrasiab. After Kay Khosrow took this oath, he became king, and everyone was obliged to obey him.

Kay Khosrow rebuilt all the ruined cities and villages but did not forget the attack on Turan. He issued a decree, gathering the IRGC from all over Iran, and their chiefs were ready to obey the king's command. The king also offered awards for certain battlefield achievements. The first prize was for capturing the crown of Tageuo in battle. The second prize was for capturing Espanoi alive. The third prize was for the commander who paved the way for Kasa-Roud. With these three conditions set, an attack on the Turanian border commenced.

Gallery

• 
  The Turanians fight the Iranians
• 
  Kay Khosrow pledges to attack Turan

Sources

• Ferdowsi Shahnameh. From the Moscow version. Mohammed Publishing. ISBN 964-5566-35-5 Search this book on .
• Iran-Turan war
• dictionary Iran-Turan war

This article "Iran-Turan war" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Iran-Turan war. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

---