Varka and Golshah

Gulshah (right) disguised as a man, watches as her lover Varqa (centre) and his rival Rabi (left) fight on horseback. Varka and Golshah, mid-13th century miniature, Seljuk Anatolia
Combat of Warqah with the army of Bahrain and of ‘Adan. Varka and Golshah, mid-13th century miniature, Seljuk Anatolia

Varka and Golshah, also Varqeh and Gulshah, Varqa o Golšāh (ورقه و گلشاه, Varqa wa Golshāh), is an 11th-century Persian epic in 2,250 verses, written by the poet Ayyuqi.[1] In the introduction, the author eulogized the famous Ghaznavid ruler Mahmud of Ghazni (r.998–1030).[1]

Varka and Golshah inspired the French medieval romantic story Floris and Blancheflour.[2]

  1. ^ a b Dj. Khaleghi-Motlagh. "ʿAYYŪQĪ". In Encyclopædia Iranica. December 15, 1987. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  2. ^ Khaleghi-Motlagh, Dj. "ʿAYYŪQĪ". iranicaonline.org. Encyclopaedia Iranica.