Now hear of Naushervan’s camp. Hurmuz said to Buzurjmehr, “The emperor has not been found. Pray discover his whereabouts by ramal.” Buzurjmehr answered, “I have already made the necessary calculations and learned that Naushervan is at the fire temple of Namrud and is suffering great hardships. If no one goes there to aid him, he will never again be seen alive by anyone.” Hurmuz said, “O Khvaja, pray go and bring him back.” Buzurjmehr replied, “Not until Hamza goes to fetch him shall Naushervan ever return.” Hurmuz said, “Why would Hamza ever go there?” Buzurjmehr replied, “If your mother were to write to him, Hamza would surely go and bring back Naushervan.” Hurmuz then went and narrated the whole account to Mehr-Angez. The empress wrote a letter to Hamza requesting his aid.
Upon reading the letter, Amir Hamza sent Amar to Buzurjmehr to discover Naushervan’s whereabouts. Buzurjmehr said to him, “Tell Amir that Naushervan is languishing in the fire temple of Namrud. If you depart on foot without delay, you would arrive there in time.”
OF AMIR’S DEPARTURE FOR THE FIRE TEMPLE OF NAMRUD TO BRING BACK NAUSHERVAN, AND OF HIS MARRYING NAUSHERVAN’S SECOND DAUGHTER UPON THEIR RETURN
The narrator tells us that Amir cast off his royal garb and, wearing a sheet of cloth around his waist and putting on a habit of shreds and patches, set out for the fire temple of Namrud. Along the way, Amir learned that the bandit Bahram had looted Naushervan. Amir arrived at Bahram’s castle and challenged him. In their encounter Amir prevailed over Bahram. Upon hearing his name, Bahram sincerely converted to the True Faith, conducted Amir to his castle, and feted him for several days.
When Amir asked Bahram about Naushervan, he answered, “O Amir, when he told me that he was Naushervan bin Qubad, I did not believe him and took for falsehoods everything that he told me. I can only guess that he has gone toward Tartary.”
Upon hearing this, Amir Hamza left for Tartary and Bahram the bandit accompanied him. In Tartary they were told that their ruler expelled the man who claimed to be Naushervan as a liar and it was not known to them where the man went afterward.
As Amir and Bahram were leaving the city, they crossed paths with two men who were coming from the fire temple of Namrud. The men told Amir Hamza that an old man had arrived there from some place calling himself Naushervan bin Qubad.
Amir and Bahram headed for the fire temple. When they arrived there, the attendants brought food, and Amir shared the meal with Bahram. In the evening, the woodcutters came back to the fire temple carrying their loads of wood. After everyone else, Naushervan also arrived carrying a few sticks of wood on his head. Seeing his small load, the attendants gave Naushervan half a loaf of bread. Naushervan took the bread from the attendant without a word of protest, ate it in silence, and then lay down quietly in a corner. Amir Hamza’s eyes welled up with tears upon seeing Naushervan’s state and he said, “Indeed God is the One who dispenses honor and disgrace at will!”
In the meantime, the one in charge of the fire temple sent Amir a platter of sumptuous food. Amir said to Bahram, “Go and call Naushervan to join us, but do not tell him anything about me.” Amir greeted Naushervan with respect and, seeing his miserable condition, involuntarily broke into tears. Naushervan said, “O generous youth, why do you cry after showing mercy to me?” Amir answered, “Your face greatly resembles my father’s. Therefore I lost my self-control and began crying.” Amir seated Naushervan by his side and fed him with his own hands while weeping quietly to himself.
After Naushervan had eaten to his heart’s content, he said to Amir, “Tell me, O youth, who you are and where you have come from.” Amir answered, “I am a soldier, and I travel from land to land. I would like to know who you are.” Naushervan answered, “I am Naushervan bin Qubad and fickle fate has shown me this day.” Amir asked him, “Why did you renounce your empire? What made you leave your land?”
Naushervan answered, “The excesses of an Arab named Hamza made me renounce my empire.” Amir Hamza asked him, “What injustices did Hamza commit against you?” Naushervan replied, “He used to pay allegiance to me at first. Then he became enamored of my daughter and carried her away without my consent. Considering it a great disgrace, I went out into the world to roam from one city to another.” Amir said, “I have heard that Hamza did not have any designs on your throne, and that it was you yourself who was his enemy, always seeking some way to kill him. Now you prevaricate and tell a contrary tale.” Naushervan answered, “O youth, indeed it is true that Hamza never sought my death or my throne. It was Bakhtak, one of my viziers, who sowed enmity between us.”
Amir Hamza now said, “Tell me, what would you give me and how would you reward me if I were to produce Hamza to you as a prisoner?” Naushervan’s face lit up and he said, “Will my eyes ever see the day, by the grace of the gods Lat and Manat, that I will find that rebel in my power?” Amir answered, “I shall do you this service and produce Hamza to you a prisoner.” Naushervan replied, “If you were to capture Hamza for me and do me this favor, O youth, I would give you in marriage my younger daughter, Mehr-Afroze.”
Amir Hamza showed every kindness and favor to Nausharvan and did not allow him to cut wood the next day. On the fourth day, Amir and Bahram went out with the woodcutters and told Naushervan that they would bring wood for him too. They rested all morning while Naushervan scrounged the forest for wood, and in the evening uprooted whole trees and brought them to the fire temple. The attendants of the fire temple offered them the choicest foods, which they shared with Naushervan.
That night Amir asked Naushervan, “Who undertakes the expenses of this fire temple?” Naushervan answered, “My son, all these attendants are in fact my slaves and receive their stipend from my court. When I first arrived here, I gave them my name, but none of them believed it. They manhandled me so badly that my whole body swelled up from the beating I received at their hands.” Amir said, “If you swear to renounce fire worship and hold God as unique and alone, and consider the faith of Ibrahim the True Faith, I will kill these attendants and destroy the fire temple. I will settle you on the throne and make all of them show obedience to you.” Naushervan swore to everything that Amir had asked. Amir threw one attendant into the fire, dispatched many others to Hell, and razed the fire temple to the ground along with the idols that surrounded it.
When the attendants of the fire temple learned that Naushervan was in truth the emperor, they sought his forgiveness and were pardoned. Naushervan distributed the wealth stored in the temple to the needy and headed back home.
Then Amir said to Naushervan, “Let us go into our camp.” Amir and Naushervan went to a baker, bought some bread, and sat down to eat it. Muqbil Vafadar happened to pass there, leading Ashqar to his water trough. The horse stopped when it recognized Amir Hamza’s smell. Amar also passed by there at the time, and saw Amir and Naushervan having a meal with a stranger. Amar greeted Amir Hamza and said, “Welcome back and happy return!” When Amar called out Amir’s name, Naushervan finally recognized Amir and learned the true identity of his companion.
Naushervan said to himself, “Hamza and I were together for so long, but I did not recognize him. There was no rebuke that I did not hurl at Hamza. He must harbor rancor against me.” Naushervan got up and returned to his camp. The nobles of Naushervan’s court were delighted to see him. Naushervan was seated on the throne and his courtiers and nobles made offerings to him.
Amir Hamza went into his own camp and met his companions. The next day Amir said to Sa’ad bin Amar Hamza, “Tie my hands with rope and lead me before Naushervan so that I can fulfill my promise to him.” Sa’ad led Amir before Naushervan, who was dumbstruck by the spectacle and then asked, “Why have you brought Amir a prisoner here?” Amir answered, “I promised you that I would bring Hamza to you as a prisoner. Now you must fulfill your part of the bargain and convert to the True Faith without hesitation.”
At that moment Bakhtak rose from his station and whispered into Naushervan’s ears, “This is an opportunity to kill Hamza easily and give
him his due punishment without making any great effort. If this moment passes it will not return, and Hamza will not be prevailed over by another man.” Naushervan gave Bakhtak no answer, but Amir Hamza deduced that Naushervan was not being truthful with him. Amir untied his own hands and said to Sa’ad, “Get hold of this accursed Bakhtak and whip him as much as his wickedness deserves.” Sa’ad immediately carried out Amir’s orders. Naushervan retired to his palace when he saw Bakhtak being whipped, and whoever tried to come to the aid of the ill-starred Bakhtak lost his life at Amir’s hands. Finally, Amir returned to his camp. The following day he sent Amar to Naushervan’s court with the message that he had fulfilled his promise and wished Naushervan to do the same, that is, to give Princess Mehr-Afroze to him in marriage as pledged. Amar went before Naushervan and delivered Amir’s message to him.
At first Naushervan did not answer Amar and said to his courtiers and nobles, “I promised Hamza that I would give him Mehr-Afroze in marriage. What do you advise in this matter?” All of them replied with one voice, “After marrying just one of your daughters to Hamza, Your Highness suffered anxiety that has driven you from land to land. God alone knows what terrors would visit you after marrying a second daughter to him.” Naushervan answered, “Since I have given Hamza one of my daughters in marriage, I see no reason to make qualms about marrying a second daughter to him. I could have no worthier son-in-law, as none can compare with Hamza in capability.” With this, Naushervan said to Amar, “Go and tell Hamza to make preparations for the wedding.” The next day Amar recited the wedding sermon before Amir and Mehr-Afroze at an auspicious moment.
Bakhtak dispatched letters addressed to princes and kings everywhere soliciting them to advance and snatch Mehr-Afroze from the clutches of Hamza the Arab.
All the nobles of Naushervan’s court consulted together and finally said to Hurmuz, “The emperor has lost his senses to dotage, but you are the master of your faculties. If you should so decide, Hamza would be killed speedily. Otherwise, this empire will be completely lost to you. Advise the emperor to go to Mount Alburz to seek refuge with the king of Alburz. If the emperor refuses, then you must send him toward Ctesiphon, ascend the throne yourself, and head for Mount Alburz to see what comes to pass there.”
When Hurmuz put the proposal offered by the nobles before his father, Naushervan said, “I would like nothing better than if Hamza could be killed by this ploy and we could be rid of him.” Naushervan’s advance camp headed to Mount Alburz that very day, and the next day he followed and dispatched missives addressed to various sovereigns soliciting their aid.
OF AMIR HAMZA’S DEPARTURE FOR MOUNT ALBURZ
The narrator records that Amar Ayyar informed Amir Hamza that Bakhtak had incited Naushervan to head for Mount Alburz. Upon receiving this news, Amir Hamza said, “Order our advance camp to move to Mount Alburz as well.” When they arrived at the foot of Mount Alburz, they saw Naushervan already camped there.
Warriors and champions poured in daily from all corners to aid Naushervan. When Bahram Chob-Gardaan and Aadi Chob-Gardaan—who were paragons of bravery and courage—arrived with forty thousand troops to aid Naushervan, the emperor sounded the drums of war and led his army into the battlefield.
In the meantime, a rider came and stood between the two camps, seeking combat with the infidels. After proving his strength first against the infidels and then against the followers of the True Faith, he was overpowered by Amir Hamza. Then that warrior revealed that he was Alam Shah Roomi’s son Qasim Khavari. Amir Hamza was most pleased to meet his grandson and returned with him to his camp.
In the meanwhile, a forty-yard-tall giant emerged from behind the ranks of the infidels on horseback and descended into the arena to challenge Homan Khavari. After overpowering Homan he wished to fight Qeemaz Shah Khavari, and prevailed against him as well. Finally Amir Hamza defeated him, and he revealed that his name was Qais Qeemaz Khavari and he was Qeemaz Shah Khavari’s son. Then Amir sent for Qeemaz Shah and said to him, “May you have the pleasure of beholding your son!” Qeemaz Shah was greatly pleased by this news, and Amir sounded the drums to announce the day’s end. He brought Qais Qeemaz Khavari back to his camp, where he ordered celebrations and organized an assembly of revelry and festivities.
The next day when the battle arrays were again formed Amir prevailed against both Aadi Chob-Gardaan and Bahram Chob-Gardaan. Amir Hamza converted them to the True Faith and Amar put rings in their ears to enroll them among the ranks of Amir’s slaves. Amir conferred robes of honor on them, and cups of wine were passed around. Bahram Chob-Gardaan and Aadi Chob-Gardaan sent a message to their army ordering them to join the camp of the followers of the True Faith after making a night raid on Naushervan’s camp so that they might earn divine blessings and earthly recompense.
THE HISTORY OF PRINCE BADIUZ ZAMAN BEING BORN TO GILI-SAVAR, THE DAUGHTER OF KING GUNJAL; AND OF THE PRINCE BEING PUT INTO A CHEST AND DROPPED INTO THE RIVER; AND OF QURAISHA, DAUGHTER OF AASMAN PERI, REARING THE PRINCE AT THE COMMAND OF THE HOLY KHIZR
The narrator records that when Amir Hamza departed for Mount Alburz, he sent Gili-Savar, who was with child, to King Gunjal, in effect leaving his family in trust with him. That ingrate Gunjal assembled all the servant girls and the midwife and made them swear that when Gili-Savar was delivered of a boy, they would immediately bring him the child. The attendants reasoned that since Gunjal was the grandfather, he must have foreseen something auspicious for the child, or else some clairvoyant must have alerted him to some fortunate or propitious hour. The moment the boy was born, they took him to Gunjal. That pitiless creature, who had converted to the True Faith for fear of losing his life, ordered the infant killed. The infant’s nanny took pity on the child’s comely face and, disobeying the king’s command, said to Gunjal, “If Your Honor should order it, I will inter the boy alive in the ground.” He replied, “Very well, do so!” The nanny put the boy in a wooden chest instead and put this into the river, committing him to God’s care.
It so happened that Aasman Peri and Quraisha were visiting the riverside that day. The chest came floating down the river and reached the bank near them. When they retrieved the chest from the river and opened it, they found inside an infant sucking his thumb, whose beauty was the envy of the sun and the moon. Love flooded their hearts at the sight of him, and when Aasman Peri regarded the shining mark on his forehead, she said, “This mark is the sign of the friends of God. He has been committed into the grace of God.” At that moment the holy Khizr appeared before them and said to Aasman Peri, “This boy is Hamza’s son. You should raise him in the best tradition, send him to Hamza when he comes of age, and name him Badiuz Zaman.” With that, the holy Khizr disappeared, and Quraisha carried Badiuz Zaman to Qaf in her arms. They appointed peris as his wet nurses and raised him with great diligence and care.
When Badiuz Zaman reached the age of seven, Quraisha sent him to be trained in the arts of combat, and provided him with arms and armor once he had attained mastery in all arts of war. Whenever Quraisha went on a campaign, she took Badiuz Zaman along with her and introduced him to the realities of battle. When Badiuz Zaman reached his eleventh year, he asked Quraisha, “Who are my mother and father, and where are they? Tell me, what is the name of the city where they live?” Quraisha answered, “Both you and I are the children of the same father. He rules over the realm of men and his name is the Lord of the Auspicious Planetary Conjunction, the World Conqueror, the Quake of Qaf, the Latter-day Suleiman, Abul-Ala, Amir Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib. However, I have no knowledge of your mother’s name and identity, and know not who she was or where she lived.” Then Quraisha told Badiuz Zaman the circumstances that had brought them together.
Badiuz Zaman said, “Pray do me the favor of sending me to my father.” Aasman Peri and Quraisha provided many gifts of Qaf to accompany him and ordered the peris to conduct him safely to the camp of the followers of the True Faith near Mount Alburz. At parting, they told Badiuz Zaman the names of all his relatives and
explained to him how all his brothers had challenged and fought with Amir Hamza at their first meeting, and that he, too, must continue the family tradition and give himself to his father’s service only after performing this ritual.
In short, Badiuz Zaman took leave of Aasman Peri and arrived after a few days near Mount Alburz. He saw the two armies facing each other on the battlefield and the warriors wielding their swords. The peris gave Badiuz Zaman the particulars of both camps. Then they hid themselves from human view to witness what would transpire next.
Badiuz Zaman stood between both camps and challenged the followers of the True Faith. Both camps marveled at Badiuz Zaman’s comely youth, his fine garb, and his superior weapons, for they had never before set eyes on such a dazzling aspect or such attire and accoutrements.
One after another, Badiuz Zaman fought and prevailed over Kayumars, Qeemaz Shah Khavari, Landhoor, Qasim Khavari, Sa’ad bin Amar Hamza, and finally challenged Amir Hamza himself. Amir Hamza, descended into the arena and pitted himself against Badiuz Zaman, who raced his horse like lightning to reach the side of Amir and catch him by his cummerbund. Amir, meanwhile, secured a hold on Badiuz Zaman’s belt. The two of them fought so mightily that their steeds were unnerved, and had they not dismounted, the animals would have broken their backs. When Amir was drenched in perspiration, he bellowed his war cry and tried to lift Badiuz Zaman from the ground and raise him above his head. However, Badiuz Zaman did not budge from his place. When Amir made his war cry a second time and made another attempt, he still achieved no results.
The Adventures of Amir Hamza Page 51