Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 4 1886.djvu/306

 298 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF FOLK-LORE.

17. Shahnama, by Munshi ; published at the Razavi Press, Delhi, in 1220 A.H., or 1805 a.d. It is an abridged translation into Urdu verse from the well-known Persian work of the same name : 168 pp. 8vo. It is a legendary history of the early kings of Persia.

Kaiomurs founds the Persian dynasty, and wars with the demons. He is succeeded by Hoshang, the first to procure fire from flint and steel, and to worship fire. He invents also the arts of cooking, and curing skins for clothing, and working in iron. He is succeeded by Taimurs, the inventor of the arts of weaving wool, and of writing in the Persian character. Jamshed follows him ; inventor of weaving in cotton and silk, agriculture, architecture and navigation. In his old age his pride is humbled by Zuhak, a noble, who ousts him from his throne, and obliges him to fly to Zabulistan, with his wife and family. The daughter of the ruler of Zabulistan becomes pregnant by him, and so Jamshed flies toward India, but Zuhak captures and slays him. Zuhdk is a tyrant, and is killed by Faiidiin, an orphan, reared by one Kawa, a blacksmith. Faridun succeeds, and at his death divides the kingdom between Airaj, Salam, and Tur, his sons. Salam and Tur slay Airaj, whose sister's son, Manuchihr, slays them both in return, and succeeds to the throne. Zal, the renowned warrior, is now bora to Sam, the ruler of Zabul, and is bred up by Simurgh. Zal has a son, the renowned Rustam, by the daughter of Mihrab, an Afghan. Afrdsiab, one of the royal family, wrests the empire from Nuzar, the now ruler, and puts him and Aghriras to death. He is in turn ousted by Zu, another prince of the royal house, who reigns five years, and is succeeded by Gurshasp, an imbecile, who is dethroned by Kaiqubad, a descendant of Faridun, bred up in the Alburz Mountains. Kaikaus succeeds him, who is captured by demons in Mazhandaran, from whom he is released by Rustam. Kaikaus then defeats the king of Hamavaran, and marries his daughter. He then wars with Afrasiab, king of Turan, whom Rustam defeats. Kaikaus makes a balloon, guided by eagles, which one day drops him in Chin, from whence he retreats with difficulty. Rustam marries Tahmina, the daughter of the king of Samangan, by whom he has the renowned