Object type: painting; manuscript
Museum number: 1933,0929,0.2
Description: Ashkabus and Rostam; single manuscript page mounted on detached album folio. From the Shahnama of Firdawsi. Battle on foot between Ashkabus the Kashani and Rostam. Rostam appears as the central figure dressed in dark garments, facing Ashkabus, who grips a sword in defence. White horse lies between the two men, and two men stand to the right of Rostam. Six columns of text written below the image.
Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper.
School/style: Inju School
Culture/period: Inju dynasty
Date: 1341 (AH 741)
Production place: Made in: Shiraz, Fars province, South Iran
Materials: paper
Technique: painted
Dimensions: Height: 36.8 centimetres (sheet) Width: 30 centimetres (sheet) Height: 9.2 centimetres (painting) Width: 24.2 centimetres (painting)

Curator's comments: This particular Shahnameh of 1341 was commissioned by Qiwam al-Dawla wa'l-Din, a visier of the Inju ruler. Upon seeing his fellow Iranian Ruhham defeated in combat by Ashkabus the Kashani, Rustam challenged Ashkabus to do battle on foot. First Rustam taunted Ashkabus, then felled his horse with one arrow, and finally shot a fatal arrow at the warrior's heart. Rustam shooting Ashkabus and his horse, from a Shahnameh of Firdausi
Iran, Shiraz, 741 AH/1341 AD

This manuscript illustration comes from a Shahnameh, the Persian national epic, that was made for Qiwanuddawla wa'l-din Hasan the governor of Fars province. Its large scale, limited range of colours, and carless brushwork are typical of paintings produced for the Inju rulers of Shiraz.
The story concerns the hero Rustam avenging the death of his fellow soldiers. He challenged his enemy Ashkabus to do battle on foot. Here Rustam has shot the horse of Ashkabus and has just let the fatal arrow fly at Ashkabus himself.

Associated Title: Shahnameh of Firdausi
Acquisition date: 1933
Source: British Museum

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The British Museum
Title of Work: Shahnama (1341)
Manuscript: Qavam al-Din
Accession Number: 1933.9.29.02v
Chapter 13b - Kamus-i Kashani
Scene: Rustam kills Ashkabus and his horse
Dimensions (h x w): 244 x 289 mm
Format: Rectangular within borders
Reconstructed Folio: 105v
Hijri Date: 741 Dhu'l-Qa'da 20
Gregorian Date: 1341 May 14
School: Shiraz
Source: Shahnama Project