Gordafarid- Persian HeroHero"The Warrior Maiden"

The Defense of the White Fortress

When Sohrab invaded Iran with a Turanian army, he encountered the White Fortress (Dezh-e Sepid). The Iranian commander Hejir rode out to challenge him but was quickly defeated and captured. Seeing the champion fall, Gordafarid, daughter of the fortress commander Gazhdaham, armed herself, concealed her face behind a helmet, and rode forth to face the invader alone.

The Combat

Gordafarid challenged Sohrab with taunts and insults, then fought him with lance and sword. Though outmatched in raw strength, she held her own through skill and agility. Eventually Sohrab seized her by the waist, breaking her armor straps. Her helmet fell, revealing her long hair. Sohrab was stunned to discover he had been fighting a woman.

The Clever Escape

Recognizing she could not defeat Sohrab by force, Gordafarid turned to wit. She spoke sweetly, praising his strength and suggesting that marriage would suit them better than combat. She promised to surrender the fortress and herself if he would follow her peacefully to its gates.

Sohrab, young and susceptible, agreed. But when Gordafarid reached the fortress, she spurred her horse inside and had the gates closed behind her. From the walls, she taunted him, mocking his gullibility and promising that Iranian champions would soon arrive to punish his invasion. The fortress held until reinforcements could be rallied.