This folio depicts the crowning of Key Khosrow, with the rubric written in red ink reading:
Persian:
حکایت پادشاهی خسرو و تاجگذاری او
Translation:
“The tale of the kingship of Khosrow and his coronation.”
چو خسرو بر آن تخت زرین نشست
“When Khosrow sat upon that golden throne”
جهان گشت بر کار او راست و بست
“The world was set aright by his command and decree”
ز فره همه روی گیتی بهشت
“By his glory, the entire face of the earth became like paradise”
ز داد و ز بخشش دل بد گذشت
“Through his justice and generosity, ill-heartedness departed from people’s hearts”
همه سر بسر پیش او بنده شد
“All heads bowed before him in submission”
جهان زیر فرمان و آکنده شد
“The world came under his command and was filled with his order”
ز تخت و ز تاجش همه شادمان
“All were joyful at his throne and crown”
ز فر و ز بخشایشش در زمان
“At his glory and mercy in that moment”
یکی جشن فرخ بر پا نمود
“He arranged an auspicious celebration”
جهان را پر از رنگ و نقش و درود
“Filling the world with colors, patterns, and blessings”
نوازندگان سازها برگرفتند
“The musicians took up their instruments”
سرود و نواهای خوش برگفتند
“And sang melodious and pleasant songs”
ز هر سو جهان شد پر از رای او
“From every side the world was filled with his wisdom”
زمین شد پر از پاکی و جای او
“The earth became filled with purity and his presence”
چنین بود بر تخت خسرو نشست
“Thus it was when Khosrow sat upon his throne”
که از داد او شادمان شد به هست
“That by his justice, all of existence became joyful”
This story appears in Dick Davis’ translation of Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, within “The Story of Key Khosrow,” specifically the enthronement section around pages 215–220 in the Penguin Classics edition. Davis presents this scene in smooth, dignified narrative prose, maintaining the majesty while condensing dense poetic repetitions for modern readers.
One challenge in translating these lines is preserving the formal royal register while ensuring readability in English. Words such as “فره” (farrah) imply divine radiance, royal charisma, and rightful legitimacy all at once, which no single English word captures. Additionally, the imagery of gold, thrones, and justice is embedded in ancient Iranian kingship ideals, requiring nuanced contextual rendering. Finally, Ferdowsi’s original mutaqārib meter binds the verses with a rhythmic flow that cannot be reproduced directly without making English phrasing sound overly archaic or forced.
Overall, this folio illustrates Key Khosrow’s coronation as a divinely sanctioned ruler, bringing order, beauty, prosperity, and harmony to the world through his justice and wisdom. It was intended to visually reinforce ideals of rightful kingship and moral virtue for its Safavid or Qajar era patron.
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