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Nozar’s Kingdom – The Realm of Forgotten Duties
Nozar’s Kingdom: The Realm of Forgotten Duties retells a Shahnameh chapter for children in English and Persian. Dying King Manouchehr warns his son Nozar how hard it is to rule, but Nozar struggles and must call the old hero Sam for help. When Turan’s King Pashang hears of the trouble, Afrasiab invades with 400,000 horsemen. A second part follows Zal defending Kabul. 144-page PDF.
What happens when a king forgets his duty: a Shahnameh story of war and loyalty
Most children’s Shahnameh books stop with the famous heroes. Nozar’s Kingdom tells a part that is less often retold: the reign of Nozar, son of Manouchehr. It opens with a deathbed scene in which Manouchehr calls being king “very hard and often sad” and hands his son the kingdom along with a warning. Nozar does not listen well, and the elders of Iran turn to Sam in Mazandaran.
The middle of the book is a long war with Turan. General Qaran, son of Kaveh the Blacksmith, faces Afrasiab, Garsivaz and Piran Veesa’s son Barman, and the old warrior Qobad steps forward when younger men hold back. The last chapter, “Clash in Zabulestan”, follows Zal, mourning his father Sam, as he rides to help Mehrab of Kabul.
At a glance
What the book covers
A father’s warning
Manouchehr remembers fighting Salm and Tour and keeping demons away, and tells Nozar what ruling really costs.
A kingdom in trouble
Nozar neglects his people, Sam comes to advise him, and Turan sees its chance seven years after Manouchehr’s death.
Iran against Turan
Afrasiab’s 400,000 horsemen against Nozar’s 140,000, two days of battle, brave losses such as Shapur, and a captured king.
Zal in Kabul
Zal, using his father Sam’s mace and his famous arrows, stands with Mehrab against the Turanian commanders Shamasas and Khazarwan.
Reading it together
- Keep a list of the heroes on each side, Iran and Turan, as you read; the book has many names.
- Read a few pages each evening, the English first and then the Persian.
- Talk about the title: what duties did Nozar forget, and who paid for it?
- Look up the meaning of names like Zal and Qaran on our free Persian names page.
Who this book is for
A good fit if you
- have already read the famous Shahnameh stories and want the next part
- have an older child who enjoys long battle stories
- want a story that shows leaders must earn respect
Look elsewhere if you
- want a short first taste of the Shahnameh; Rostam Seven Trials is a single, exciting quest
- need a story for a young child; The Little Red Hen is simple and gentle
Read the Shahnameh in order
- Dynasty of Fereydoun: how Manouchehr fought Salm and Tour, the war his father recalls here.
- The Love Story of Zal and Rudabeh: how Zal came to be tied to Mehrab of Kabul.
- Farsi Children Books Bundle: all the Shahnameh tales and other kids books.
Common questions
Is it from the Shahnameh?
Yes. It retells the reign of Nozar from Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, including the war with Afrasiab and Zal’s defense of Kabul, in simple language.
What age is it for?
About 9 to 13. There are many characters and several battles in which heroes die, so it suits children who already like longer stories.
Does my child need to read Persian already?
No. Every passage is also in English. The Persian helps children who are learning to read follow along.
What do I get after I buy?
A 144-page PDF to download straight after checkout, for a tablet or computer, or to print at home.
Is there a paperback?
Yes, a paperback is listed on Amazon. This page sells the PDF edition.
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