Isfendiyár

Also known as: Kherád · Family: Irán · Role: son of Gushtásp · First appears: Gushtásp, and the Faith of Zerdusht · Part 1

Isfendiyár was the son of Gushtásp and Kitabún, and brother of Bashútan. When he offered to lead the army, Zarír objected because of his youth, and Gushtásp gave Zarír command instead. Later, Gushtásp promised Isfendiyár the crown if he killed the demon and defeated the enemy. Isfendiyár killed Bai-derafsh, and Bishú joined him; after Arjásp retreated, Gushtásp crowned Isfendiyár as his successor. He invaded Rúm, but Gurzam falsely accused him of plotting against his father, and Gushtásp had him imprisoned and chained at Balkh. Jamásp carried a letter seeking his pardon; Gushtásp freed Isfendiyár, restored the throne to him, and appointed him commander of the imperial armies. Isfendiyár defeated Kurugsar, Kahram, and Arjásp, but declined the crown, saying he wished for the king’s prosperity.

Sent by Gushtásp to conquer Arjásp’s kingdom, Isfendiyár took the shortest route through the Heft-khan with Bashútan and the chained Kurugsar. He overcame the dangers of the journey, killed Símúrgh (slain by Isfendiyár), and later killed Kurugsar after he confessed to misleading him. At the Brazen Fortress, Isfendiyár entered in disguise as a merchant and gave his name as Kherád; he freed his sisters, killed Arjásp and Kahram, and again sought the crown from Gushtásp. Instead, his father promised him the throne if he subdued Rustem, and Isfendiyár set out for Sístán with his eldest son, Bahman. He met Rustem but refused his invitations and ordered him to come to Irán; their dispute led to combat, in which Isfendiyár wounded Rustem and Rakush. In the next fight, Rustem’s arrow blinded Isfendiyár. As he lay dying, Isfendiyár entrusted Bahman to Rustem’s care; Rustem agreed, and Gushtásp later acquitted him of guilt in Isfendiyár’s death.