Folio 141r: Subrab Ropes in His Steed

Mehran DHN

On a hunting expedition Rustam crosses into Turan in search of Rakhsh, whom he thinks is lost. As a guest in the castle ofa vassal king, Rustam is unexpectedly joined in his bedchamber by the king’s beautiful daughter, Tahmina. ‘The next day, before Rustam departs, they marry, and nine months later Tahmina gives birth to a son, Suhrab. Eventually she tells him the identity of his father, and Suhrab, believing he is bound lor glory, demands a suitable horse. He chooses one from the line of Rakhsh, who had enjoyed equine love the same night as his master.