Emperor Naushervan has sought refuge in my lands because of your tyranny. Therefore, I feel it is my duty to apprehend you and hand you over to Naushervan. If you have a claim to manhood, come here and test your mettle against mine.
Amir Hamza laughed heartily upon reading this letter and said, “Alas! God is my witness that I never wished to overthrow Naushervan or to treat him in this vile manner and enthrone Qubad. But now that he has gone over to Bahman to seek refuge and has complained about me, it has become imperative for me to depose him and seat Qubad on his throne.” All his counselors and advisers piped up in a chorus, “Indeed, O Sahibqiran! There is no better manner of dealing with this situation. You must first hand over your own throne to Prince Qubad, and make him your heir and order everyone to make offerings to him. Then you may take the next steps.” Amir Hamza enthroned Prince Qubad as his heir and headed toward Bahman’s lands after forty days of celebrations. When Amir Hamza approached Kohistan and pitched his tents, Bahman sent his son Homan with a body of soldiers to take position on the mountainside so that Hamza would be foiled in his attempt to control the mountain. When Aadi tried to gain the mountain, Homan, who had already established himself there, started throwing stones at Aadi and his troops, making it impossible for Aadi to advance. In the meanwhile, Amar Hamza and Landhoor had arrived there with their armies and saw stones being thrown from the mountaintop and Aadi holding his ground with great courage and determination. Amar Hamza, King Landhoor, and Istaftanosh began scaling the mountain in order to dislodge the foe. Homan let loose a barrage of stones at them, but the three managed to climb up, using their shields to ward off the projectiles. Then they pulled out their swords and fell on the infidels, striking at the nation of mischief makers like bolts of lightning. Thousands of Guebers were dispatched to Hell, and with heads hanging in shame, they entered the chambers of God’s wrath.
Homan escaped with his life, and in great disarray he went to Bahman and narrated the whole account of the skirmish to him. Bahman grew angry with Homan and said, “It was proved today that you are not my son; otherwise you would never have abandoned the field or run away from facing the sword. Moreover, you give me this account of your pusillanimity and cowardice so merrily.” While Bahman was talking, a great dust cloud rose on the horizon and thousands of standards appeared from under its veil. It was announced that the Sahibqiran was approaching with great majesty and grandeur. Bahman said to Bakhtak, “I am very desirous of seeing the Sahibqiran, as his legend precedes him.” Bakhtak answered, “If you mount your steed and stand along the way, I shall be able to show you Amir Hamza.” Bahman mounted his horse and accompanied Bakhtak.
After his champions had passed, Amir Hamza himself came by riding Ashqar Devzad with great hauteur and ceremony. Bakhtak said, “This is Hamza of whom you have heard.” Bahman was astonished to witness Amir Hamza’s stateliness and magnificence, and said, “With this short stature he killed the devs of Qaf and prevailed over mighty champions of the world? How could even he—with all his valor—have routed the rebellious hordes of Qaf?” Bakhtak answered, “Once you get into the arena with him you will realize the truth behind his small stature and seemingly weak constitution.” Bahman replied, “It would be improper to challenge him today as he has just arrived tired, worn, and exhausted from his journey. But, come tomorrow, I will inflict on him a humiliation he will never forget.”
The next morning Amir wrote a letter to Bahman. After detailing his exploits in Qaf and describing his many victories over renowned champions of the world, he stated: “I have arrived here at your calling. You would do well to send Naushervan, Bakhtak, and Zhopin as prisoners to me and then present yourself to me with your treasury and ennoble yourself by converting to the True Faith. Otherwise, a most shameful defeat would become your lot.”
Amir Hamza sent the letter with his son Amar Hamza. On the way to Bahman’s court, Amar Hamza encountered Bahman’s son Homan and defeated him in combat. Then Amar Hamza headed onward. Bahman was present in the court along with Naushervan, Zhopin, Bakhtak, and Buzurjmehr. After offering salutations to Buzurjmehr, Amar threw Hamza’s letter before Bahman, but said nothing to him. After reading the letter, Bahman tore it up, thus portraying his resentment. Amar Hamza said, “Alas, my father forbade me from taking any excesses, or else I would have torn you up in the same way that you tore up that letter, and extracted your imprudent brains from your heedless skull.” At a signal from Bahman, Homan rushed at Amar Hamza with his sword drawn, but Amar Hamza wrested the sword from Homan’s hand with great alacrity, and slammed him to the floor. Homan’s younger brother then charged Amar Hamza, but met the same fate. Seeing this example of Amar Hamza’s courage and strength, Bahman greatly praised him and said without reserve, “I am not surprised at his bravery and might, for a lion’s cub is born of a lion, and a valiant man’s progeny will always prove brave.” With these words, he put a robe of honor on Amar Hamza with his own hands, and kissed the young man’s hands before giving him leave to depart.
Upon his return to camp, Amar Hamza recounted the whole story of his trip to Amir Hamza.
The following day Bahman took to the battlefield with his army. Amir Hamza also arrayed his force there. Amar Hamza kissed the leg of his father’s throne to seek his permission for combat, turned his steed to face the battlefield, and issued a challenge to his adversaries, at which point Bahman signaled to Homan. He rode into the arena carrying a mace and raised it above his head to strike a blow against Amar Hamza, who foiled the blow. Amar Hamza lifted Homan clear off his saddle, whirled him seven times above his head, and slammed him to the ground. Then he tied Homan up and presented him to Amir Hamza, who gave him into Amar Ayyar’s custody. Bahman sent his second son into combat and he fared the same as his brother. Bahman’s side sounded the signal to announce the end of hostitilies for the day and the king returned sorrowfully to his camp.
Amir Hamza, on the other hand, returned to his camp accompanied by trumpets of victory. All of his men presented themselves to make offerings to congratulate him on his victory. In the evening, Amir Hamza sent for Bahman’s sons and said to them, “Convert to the True Faith and refrain from fire worship.” They answered, “O Amir! We will convert to the True Faith the day our father does so. Pray show us this kindness and do not force us to convert this day.” Amir Hamza set them free that instant and conferred robes of honor upon them. The brothers returned to their father, and after kissing his feet, told him what had happened, upon which Bahman praised Amir Hamza’s conduct. The next day, he again sounded the drums of war and entered the arena, and Amir Hamza arrayed his army opposite his as before. Amar Hamza went forth for combat wielding his lance in his hands. That day Bahman himself came out to fight. Amar Hamza said, “It is not our tradition to deal the first blow, and I cannot violate this tradition. I will show you what I possess by way of courage and unleash my warring might after you have dealt me the first blow.” Bahman brought his mace down on him with all the might he possessed, but Amar Hamza foiled the blow and said, “I give you two more blows, and then it will be my turn.” Bahman dealt two more strikes with all his might and Amar Hamza foiled them both with great adroitness and effort. Then he wheeled around Prophet Ishaq’s steed Siyah Qitas, and said, “Beware now, O Bahman! Summon all your senses to the ready. Now it is my turn to deal you the blow that will lay you flat!”
At this, Amar Hamza dealt Bahman such a mighty blow that sweat broke from every pore of Bahman’s body. In that manner the two of them continued battling from morning to sunset until their maces shattered and their senses were disordered. As neither one was able to declare victory or subdue his adversary, both of them finally returned to their camps. Amir Hamza embraced his son and made many offerings in sacrifice for him. He asked his son, “What manner of combatant is Bahman, and how do you reckon him in power and might?” He answered, “If there ever existed a man worthy of being called a champion warrior besides yourself, it is Bahman.”
The next day, Bahman fought Lan
dhoor and the day after that he skirmished with Aadi but in both cases their combat ended in stalemate. Both Landhoor and Aadi acknowledged Bahman’s might to Amir Hamza.
The next day, Bahman took Aadi Madi-Karib’s six brothers captive. The fate of these champions falling prisoner to the enemy greatly grieved Amir Hamza. Amar Ayyar said to him, “If you should order me, I would go and secure the release of our warriors.” Amir answered, “Nothing would gladden my heart more.” Amar Ayyar then entered Bahman’s camp in disguise. Bahman was quite overjoyed that night and ordered that the captive warriors from Hamza’s camp be produced before him en masse. Then he asked Naushervan, “How do you recommend they be treated?” Naushervan said, “It would be best to put them to the sword.” Bakhtak said, “I recommend that they be hanged!” Zhopin said, “I say that they should be killed for their meat. You see how plump they are. They should be fed to the hunting dogs.” Buzurjmehr commented, “The command given by a ruler is unalterable. Do what would be considered just in the judgment of brave men, and act as the demands of righteousness decree.” Bahman next asked his sons and brothers, “What do you counsel and advise in this matter?” They answered, “They should be decapitated and their heads displayed at the towers so that the enemy camp may find an example in their fate and terror may overwhelm their hearts.” Bahman said to his sons, “I marvel at the depths of baseness to which your minds have sunk. It was Hamza who, when he had power over you, did you a signal favor. And now you advocate the murder of his companions? Do you not feel a single pang of shame, or does a sense of gratitude never make you pause and reconsider your thoughts?” Then Bahman conferred robes of honor on every captive man present there and released them all at once.
Amar Ayyar then revealed himself and said to Bahman, “Your actions are becoming to a brave warrior like yourself.” Amar Ayyar then addressed Bakhtak, saying, “You were the one who counseled that Amir’s commanders be hanged. I will change my own name, O villain, if I do not see to it that your ass is pierced by the point of an impaling stake.” Bakhtak trembled at these words, made several bows to Amar, and said, “I uttered those words only out of the consideration that my words do not offend Bahman; otherwise, I would have suggested exactly what Bahman himself did in the end.”
The commanders set free by Bahman returned to Amir Hamza and narrated their story to him. Amir Hamza praised Bahman and said, “I hope to God that he converts to the True Faith for verily he is a noble champion.”
The two armies again flooded the battlefield the next morning. Bahman entered the arena and called out, “O Hamza, why do you not show your face in the arena and display your bravery in combat, instead of sending your champions to fight me?” The moment Amir heard this challenge, he took the reins of Ashqar Devzad and rode out to answer his call. Bahman asked him to deal the first blow. Amir answered, “It is not the custom of the followers of the True God to take precedence in combat. Deal me the blow you are most proud of.” Bahman was greatly pleased by Amir’s reply and said, “O Hamza, I know you are a renowned warrior. It would be best if I tried to dislodge you from the ground by lifting you, and you do the same to me. The one who is the lesser of the two must obey the superior and surrender his arms to him.” Amir happily consented to this proposition and said to him, “I would like you to try to lift me from the ground.” Bahman caught hold of Amir’s cummerbund and spent every last bit of energy he had in trying to lift him up, but he was unable to move him even a fraction of an inch.
Amir called out to Amar Ayyar in the language of ayyars, “Tell our companions to put cotton in their ears.” Amar Ayyar immediately carried out his orders. Amir then let out a mighty cry of “God is Great!” Many men in Bahman’s camp lost their hearing from the violent force of his bellow, and even the beasts of the forest retreated deep into the woods. If Bahman had not blocked his ears with his fingers, his eardrums would have burst, blood would have issued from his ears, and he would have gone deaf. Amir then caught hold of Bahman by his waistband and whirled him seven times around his head before tying him up and giving him to Amar Ayyar as a prisoner. Bahman’s army was ready to attack, but Bahman signaled them to desist. Sounding the drums to announce the day’s end, Hamza returned to his pavilion in all safety.
Amir sent for Bahman and offered him the jewel-encrusted chair of champions and, showing him much favor, said, “O Bahman! You have the choice to prove your manliness and honor your word, or revert on it.” Bahman said, “O Hamza, you well know that Naushervan and Zhopin approached me and sought my aid. I offered them support in the traditions of chivalry. Do me another great favor and forgive their offenses as well. For this kindness I will become your slave with all my heart and soul.” Amir answered, “I will do so only on condition that they convert to the True Faith. If not, I will murder them with my own hands and they will never find reprieve from my sword.” Bahman replied, “If you should order it, I would go and prevail on them to submit to you and follow the path of the righteous. Then in one gathering all of them could convert to the True Faith and surrender their authority to you.” Amir sent Bahman away after giving him a resplendent robe of honor. Bahman went and gave a whole account of events to Naushervan and Zhopin, and then said to them, “Since I was unable to overpower Hamza, I know for a fact that no one else in this world will triumph over him.”
Naushervan and Zhopin accompanied Bahman and other men of their court before Amir Hamza. Amir Hamza welcomed Naushervan, led him to his throne, and seated him there, treating him with great deference and respect. Amir taught the Act of Faith to Naushervan, Bahman, Zhopin, and Bakhtak. Then he ordered his musicians to play festive tunes, and for a full two weeks he held celebrations in honor of Naushervan and Bahman.
OF AMIR’S DEPARTURE FOR MECCA, AND OF HIS TAKING PRISONER SHADDAD ABU-AMAR HABASHI, AND OF HIS CONVERTING TO THE TRUE FAITH
After these festivities were over, Naushervan said to Amir, “O Abul-Ala! Old age is upon me and I wish to enthrone Qubad and make him emperor in my place.” Amir yielded to him. Then Naushervan enthroned Qubad and departed for Ctesiphon along with Buzurjmehr, while Amir Hamza went toward Kaus Hisar and ordered his camp to move quarters there. He occupied himself with pursuits of the hunt during the day and indulged himself in revels at night. One day he received Khvaja Abdul Muttalib’s letter, which read:
My dutiful son, Shaddad Abu-Amar Habashi has sacked our city and intends to destroy Mecca. Pray arrive here speedily, or else no follower of the True Faith will be left alive here and none will escape his tyranny.
Amir showed the letter to all the commanders of his army and then said to Bahman, “Until my return, I wish you to rule over my camp in my stead. Consider my companions and my sons as your own and treat them likewise. I shall depart on the campaign to Mecca and will triumph over the infidels with help from God Almighty. I shall soon return.”
Bahman submitted respectfully, saying with folded arms, “It is not the place of a slave to occupy the seat of his master.” Amir, however, prevailed on him to accept the trust. Afterward, Amir Hamza departed with Amar Ayyar for Mecca.
After passing all the stations of the journey, they came to Mecca, and Amir Hamza asked Amar, “What must we do now? What steps should we take to repel the foe?” Amar answered, “You must leave Ashqar Devzad in this wilderness to roam free, and proceed from here on foot.”
Then Amir took Amar and they went on their way. When they approached the camp of the Ethiopians, Amar encountered an acrobat. They spoke together and Amar ingratiated himself into his graces. Amar Ayyar said to Amir Hamza, “I am headed for the court of the king of Ethiopia to do my work. When I send for one Faulad Pehalwan, you must present yourself speedily.” After giving these instructions to Amir Hamza, Amar dressed himself as the master of a troupe of tumblers and took a procession to the entrance of the court of the King of Ethiopia, Shaddad Abu-Amar Habashi. Amar Ayyar said to the guards there, “Pray announce me. I hope to entertain the king and have brought many marvelous tricks to amuse him.” The h
eralds announced the arrival of Amar Ayyar, and the king sent for him.
At the court, Amar displayed his many talents, which pleased King Shaddad. The king offered a reward to Amar, but he would not accept it. Shaddad said to Amar, “I offered you a reward, but you did not accept it. Tell me now what you wish to ask for.” Amar declared with folded arms, “My uncle has a slave who has become a wrestler. He torments me night and day and rebukes and insults me. I wish you to warn and chastise him so that he will refrain from his audacious ways.” Shaddad said, “Where is he? Send for him.” Amar called out, “O Faulad Pehalwan! Present yourself!” Upon his call, Amir Hamza entered the court.
Shaddad was irked that Amir did not offer him any greeting. Shaddad therefore said harshly, “O slave-born tumbler, why do you torment your master?” Amir answered, “I am no slave! But you must indeed be one, and ingratitude your middle name.” Amar said to Shaddad, “See, my lord! He even talks back to Your Honor!” Shaddad ordered an executioner to sever Amir Hamza’s head but Amir immediately lifted him over his head with one hand and spun him hard. While turning him over his head with one hand, Amir delivered him a mighty blow with the other, and his soul soon left his body.
Then Shaddad sent another executioner to do the job, and Amir dispatched him to Hell along the same road. One after another, Shaddad sent forty Ethiopians to execute Amir, and he packed them all off to Hell. Then Shaddad ordered his champion warriors to behead the slave, but all of them kept away for fear of Amir. Shaddad drew his own sword and charged Amir himself. Shouting his war cry, Amir caught hold of Shaddad by his cummerbund, whirled him overhead, and slammed him to the ground. Then, drawing his dagger, Amir bore down upon him and declared, “Little did you know that I am Hamza. Even if Rustam himself were to confront me, I would humiliate him the same way.” Shaddad responded, “O Amir, I took on this mission at the instigation of Naushervan. If you were to spare my life, I would never return.” Amir said, “I will not let you go alive unless you convert to the True Faith.” Shaddad was forced to convert to the True Faith and Amir then spared his life.
The Adventures of Amir Hamza Page 44