All about Ferdowsi (Books, Poems, Shahnameh, Tomb)

Ferdowsi is one of the oldest and greatest poets of Iran. He created an immortal masterpiece in Iranian literature by transforming the heroic stories of Iranian heroes into poetry. If the world knows Iranian literature and culture, Ferdowsi is undoubtedly one of the reasons behind it. Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh is a golden chapter in Iranian literature that has stood the test of time and will continue to do so in the future. In this article, we will introduce Ferdowsi, review his life story, and explore his invaluable work, the Shahnameh. While the name of this legendary poet is already familiar to many, there is always more to learn about his remarkable contributions.

Ferdowsi Biography

Ferdowsi was born in 940 AD (319 AH) in the village of Paj, near Tus. His father was a landowner in Tabaran Tus and had considerable wealth and a respectable status. Ferdowsi’s family was a wealthy landowner who allowed him to grow up in comfort and ease. Thanks to his family’s financial stability, Ferdowsi was able to devote his youth to the study of history and the acquisition of knowledge.

The more he delved into Iranian history, the more fascinated he became by the stories and legends of ancient Iran. This passion eventually inspired him to undertake the monumental task of composing a vast collection of Iranian mythological tales.

Ferdowsi, the most influential Persian poet

Ferdowsi’s childhood coincided with the era of the Samanid dynasty, a time when the Samanid rulers had a deep appreciation for Persian literature and culture. This cultural environment likely influenced Ferdowsi and his commitment to preserving Iran’s rich heritage through poetry.

Ferdowsi Shahnameh

The Shahnameh is Ferdowsi’s most important work and one of the greatest achievements of classical Persian literature. The first Persian prose book to be presented as an independent work was also a narrative Shahnameh. Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, consisting of nearly sixty thousand verses, is a collection of national stories and ancient history of the legendary kings and heroes of Iran. It vividly describes their heroic deeds, victories, courage, honor, and devotion to faith.

The Shahnameh is an integral part of the national identity and culture of the Iranians. In its verses, the heroes and myths of Iran come to life, and their battle with vice and corruption is retold. Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh has preserved Iranian traditions and culture for centuries and transmitted them to the present generation.

The importance of the Shahnameh is not limited to its literary value. It is a written record of the Iranian people’s ancestry. A deep study of the Shahnameh reveals the richness of ancient Iranian culture and civilization. Interestingly, Ferdowsi himself did not name his work Shahnameh. This title was given after his death and reflects the detailed accounts of kings in different periods that are included in the book.

At the end of the Shahnameh, Ferdowsi beautifully describes his creation. According to him, the Shahnameh is a robust edifice of Iranian culture, a memorable work that will preserve and celebrate the essence of Iranian heritage like a towering palace for future generations.

Why Did Ferdowsi Write the Shahnameh?

Ferdowsi enjoyed considerable wealth and status, which allowed him to spend his youth reading numerous historical texts. As he became more familiar with Iranian history, his interest in ancient stories and legends grew.

Shahnameh Ferdowsi

This growing passion led him to the ambitious decision to create a large collection of Iranian mythological stories. Ferdowsi’s poetic talent and his efforts to revive national pride were the driving forces behind the creation of the Shahnameh. In 991 or 992 AD (370 or 371 AH), he began composing this epic masterpiece that would become a cornerstone of Persian literature and culture.

The Themes of the Shahnameh

The Shahnameh narrates the life, victories, defeats, and bravery of the Iranian people, spanning from ancient times, from the world’s first king, Keyumars, to the fall of the Sassanid Empire in the 7th century AD at the hands of the Arabs.

The stories recount Iran’s external conflicts with various civilizations: the Indians in the east, the Turanians in the east and northeast, the Romans in the west and northwest, and the Arabs in the southwest.

In addition to the historical storyline, the Shahnameh includes many independent stories that are not directly related to chronological history. These include stories such as Zal and Rudabeh, Rostam and Sohrab, Bijan and Manijeh, Bijan and the Boars, and The Worm of Haftvad. Some of these works, especially Rostam and Sohrab, are considered masterpieces of world literature.

Ferdowsi Poems

Ferdowsi’s poems are best known for their epic style and deep connection to Iranian culture and history. His masterpiece, the Shahnameh, is a monumental work of some 60,000 verses that tells the story of the kings, heroes, and myths of ancient Iran.

Through vivid storytelling and poetic skill, Ferdowsi celebrates themes of bravery, honor, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. His poetry not only preserves the rich heritage of pre-Islamic Iran but also serves as an eternal testament to the resilience and spirit of the Persian people.

Ferdowsi Books

Ferdowsi is best known for his epic masterpiece, the Shahnameh, but this historical work is his only surviving and known book. While some sources suggest that Ferdowsi may have composed other poems or shorter works, there is no clear evidence or surviving records of them.

Ferdowsi Famous Poems

The Shahnameh itself is a vast collection of stories that intertwines mythology, history, and moral teachings and is his greatest contribution to Persian literature. Ferdowsi’s focus on preserving the Iranian language and culture through the Shahnameh overshadows any other potential writing, making it his sole legacy.

Famous Ferdowsi Quotes

1. “Be relentless in the face of hardship, for perseverance is the key to victory.“

This reflects his belief in determination and resilience.

2. “A wise man knows that silence can be more powerful than words.“

This highlights his appreciation for wisdom and thoughtful behavior.

3. “Do good, and the world will remember you forever.“

This line embodies his emphasis on kindness and leaving a positive legacy.

The Death of Ferdowsi

The exact date of Ferdowsi’s death is unknown, but he passed away during difficult times and financial difficulties. According to Nizami Ganjavi‘s accounts, Ferdowsi died at the same time that Sultan Mahmud of Ghaznavi decided to reconcile with him and reward him for composing the Shahnameh.

Ferdowsi passed away in 1020 AD (411 AH). He was forbidden to be buried in the cemetery of Tus because Shia Muslims were forbidden to be buried there. Ferdowsi was eventually buried in his own courtyard. A local ruler from the Ghaznavid dynasty built a structure over his grave, but over time, the tomb fell into disrepair.

During the Pahlavi era, between 1928 and 1934, Reza Shah Pahlavi ordered the complete restoration of Ferdowsi’s tomb through the Iranian Cultural Heritage Association. In 1934, coinciding with the celebrations of Ferdowsi’s millennium, the newly renovated tomb was unveiled.

Ferdowsi Tomb

In 1969, prominent Iranian architect Hooshang Seyhoun further refined the design of Ferdowsi’s tomb, giving it the shape we see today. The tomb is located 20 kilometers northwest of Mashhad, on the way to Kalat Naderi, near the historic city of Tabran and the Haruniyeh Dome. Ferdowsi’s birthplace, the village of Paj, is now known as the village of Faz and is located 28 kilometers from his tomb.

Ferdowsi Tomb

The exterior of Ferdowsi’s tomb is made of concrete, stone, and tiles, and it is designed like the tomb of Cyrus the Great in Pasargadae. The tomb complex includes a museum and a library that houses artifacts discovered in the Tus region and manuscripts of great historical value.

Ferdowsi’s tombstone is made of marble, measuring 1 meter by 1.5 meters in length and width and 50 centimeters in height. The main hall of the tomb is a square marble structure with verses from the Shahnameh carved on its walls. The hall also features elements of traditional Iranian architecture inspired by the Achaemenid era.

Visitors can enjoy walking in the lush and beautiful garden surrounding the tomb and admire the magnificent statue of Ferdowsi. Nearby, there is the tomb of Mehdi Akhavan Sales, a prominent contemporary Iranian poet, which is also marked by a small statue. Also, on October 10, 2020, Mohammad Reza Shajarian, a prominent master of traditional Iranian music, was buried in the grounds of Ferdowsi’s tomb.

Final Word

Abu al-Qasim Ferdowsi Tusi, the famous Iranian epic poet and author of the Shahnameh, is considered the greatest Persian-speaking poet of all time. Known by his pen name “Ferdowsi” and his title “Hakim of Tus” or “Hakim of Speech,” he played a key role in preserving Middle Persian literature from decline. In Iran, the 25th of Ordibehesht (May 15^th) is dedicated to honoring Ferdowsi and his unparalleled contributions to Persian culture and literature.

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