Behram and Makātureh in China

Behram Chobin went to China to seek refuge and help from its king. The Khakan of China kept him as his guest. Both became very friendly and spent considerable time together, playing games and going on hunts.

Once Behram noticed that a Turk by the name Makātureh, came to the king every morning, both of them talked secretly and he gave him one thousand Dinār every day. Behram was perturbed by this behavior and asked the king. The king said that he was a very powerful warrior and controlled a large part of his army. He was daily asking him for money and threatening to withdraw his support, if he did not.

Behram said, “This is not at all fair. If you permit me I can save you from him, but you will have to do as I say.” The king agreed.

Then Behram told the Khakan, “When the Turk comes to you the following morning, do not be nice to him and don’t even look at him.”

The following day when the Turk came, the Chinese king acted as instructed by Behram. The Turk was furious. He abused Behram for instigating the king and challenged him to an archery duel the following day.

The two warriors met at a pre-determined place for a duel. The king and several courtiers gathered to see the two mighty warriors fight it out. In the duel, Makātureh lost his life. The king was relieved that he was relieved from a person who was constantly harassing him. He handsomely rewarded Behram.

Behram and Shirkappi

A dangerous animal referred to as Shirkappi once emerged in the jungles of China. It was black in colour, bigger than a horse, and had two long horns. It was connected to the species of Azdah, since it too breathed fire.

The beast had taken away many young men and women. One day, when the Chinese princess had gone out with her friends, she too was taken away by Shirkappi. The queen was very distraught. She had heard about the heroic adventures of Behram, so she asked the king to request him to get back their daughter from Shirkappi.

Behram prepared himself and went to Shirkappi’s hideout. On seeing him, the ugly monster hid in the water. Behram waited for it to emerge from the water. After some time Shirkappi came out and went towards Behram to attack him. Behram shot three arrows which struck the beast, but it still had strength. Then Behram went up a mound and shot a spear at it, which fell the monster to the ground. Behram came down and cut the monster into two with his sword. He brought back the princess and returned her to her parents.

The king and queen were very happy, and so was the whole of China. The king lavished Behram with gifts and jewels. He also made him marry his daughter, so that he may continue to stay in China. He gifted him the province of Tartary and made him its ruler.

Khushru confronts the Khakan

When King Khushru came to know of the prominent position given to Behram Chobin in the Chinese kingdom, he immediately took affront and wrote a letter to the king. He said that Behram was a rebel, and a usurper of the Iranian throne. He reminded the Chinese king that he himself had been badly humiliated by Behram in the past, and so elevating him in his court, will tarnish his name, and also make him look weak.

He ended by saying that giving Behram an eminent place in the Chinese court was akin to a challenge to the Iranian king. He asked the Khakan of China to arrest Behram and send him to Iran or else he will retaliate with an attack.

The Chinese king replied that he had held Behram’s hand in friendship, and he will not leave it now, or else it would ruin his reputation. On reading the letter, Khushru consulted his ministers and sent another letter to China.

When Behram came to know about the letter from Khushru, he was furious and asked the Khakan to attack Iran. The king consulted his ministers, and they agreed with Behram. The king selected two eminent warriors Chinui and Zangui, and sent them with Behram to attack Iran.

When king Khushru came to know that the Chinese king has decided to send an army with Behram, he sent Kharrād to China to negotiate with the Khakan. Kharrād was well received. He stayed there for a few days looking for an opportunity to talk to the king about Behram. One day, when he got an opportunity, he warned the Khakan about Behram, and asked him to hand over Behram to the Iranian king. The Khakan was not in favour of doing this, as that would amount to breaking his promise with Behram.

Kharrād realized that he would not be able to persuade the Khakan, so he changed his strategy. Continued……