Pādshāhī-ye Kaykhusraw: Qesseh-hā-ye Shāhnāmeh 8 Persian 2025

Kay Khosrow, the son of the Iranian prince Siyâvash and the Turanian princess Farangis, is one of the most distinguished kings in the Shahnameh. His dual lineage—both Iranian and Turanian—makes him a symbol of unity between the two lands and an embodiment of justice, wisdom, and ideal kingship.

After Siyâvash was unjustly killed by Afrâsiâb, Farangis secretly raised her son in Turan, fearing that Afrâsiâb would one day destroy the child to prevent future vengeance. Thus, Kay Khosrow grew up under constant threat, yet matured into a noble and courageous youth. Eventually, Giv, a loyal Iranian hero, endured many hardships to find him and bring him safely back to Iran.

Upon ascending the throne, Kay Khosrow—unlike many other kings—did not seek power for its own sake. Instead, he ushered in a period of peace and fairness, avenged his father by defeating Afrâsiâb, and secured the borders of Iran. His reign rested on three fundamental principles: justice in judgment, loyalty to promises, and respect for territorial boundaries.

Finally, after years of righteous rule, he voluntarily renounced the crown, peacefully transferring kingship to Lohrâsp. He then withdrew to the mountains for prayer and spiritual fulfillment, disappearing from the world. In the Shahnameh, Kay Khosrow stands as a symbol of spiritual kingship—defined by justice, wisdom, and detachment from worldly ambition. This new edition of The tale of The Reign of Kay Khosrow, illustrated by Mohammad-Ali Keshavarz and rewritten by Maziar Baghlani and Eilnaz Ebrahimi, is published by Barf Publishing for young readers.