"Kai Khusrau, Gudarz and Giv Capturing the Demon's Fortress, Bahman (?)", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi · 1430-01-01T00:00:00Z

Kai Kavus, the king of Iran, promised that whoever could capture the impregnable fortress of Bahman in Azerbaijan would share his throne. Tus and Fariburz made the first attempt but were driven back by the terrible heat. Then Kai Khusrau sent a message to those guarding the fortress, saying that he came in God’s name and if the fortress was inhabited by divs (devils), God would vanquish it. At that moment, there was a thunderous crack in the ramparts and its walls disintegrated.