BOZGŪŠ, the traditional reading of the name of a mythical tribe in Māzandarān (i.e., India, see Monchi-Zadeh, pp. 62ff.) mentioned in the Šāh-nāma (Moscow, II, p. 103 vv. 497-98, IV, p. 226 v. 281) together with two others named Sagsār and Narmpāy (Čarmpāyān and Davālpāyān in other sources). All three tribes were supposed to consist of monsters. The stories about them originally belonged to the Garšāsp legend, but many of Garšāsp’s exploits were subsequently attributed to other figures, for instance, Kay Ḵosrow, Esfandīār, and Alexander.
J. Markwart read the name as Bargūš (Caucasica 6/1, 1930, p. 37 with n. 4), connecting it with the Wargōš people listed in company with the Waṛčašm in the Pahlavi Bundahišn (chap. 14.38; tr. Anklesaria, pp. 134-35) and Draxt āsūrīg (ed. M. Nawwābī, Tehran, 1345 Š./1967, pp. 72-73); in the Draxt āsūrīg they are located between India and the Warkaš Sea (Warkaš zrēh), probably reflected in Ferdowsī’s Māzandarān and Daryā-ye Zereh (see Monchi-Zadeh, pp. 62-65).
Bibliography:
D. Monchi-Zadeh, Topographisch-historische Studien zum iranischen Nationalepos, Wiesbaden, 1975, pp. 62ff., 94, 149ff.
(Djalal Khaleghi-Motlagh)
Originally Published: December 15, 1989
Last Updated: December 15, 1989
This article is available in print.
Vol. IV, Fasc. 4, p. 425
