Text page with title “Letter of Kay Khusraw to Fariburz” (text, recto and verso), folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Once Kay Khusraw assumed the throne of Iran, he launched his first military campaign against Turan to avenge the death of his father, Siyavush. With its dark sky spangled by silver stars, this painting illustrates one of the campaign's setbacks. Addled by days and nights of carousing as they celebrated initial success, the Iranian soldiers were unprepared for battle when the Turanians, led by Afrasiyab's commander-in-chief, Piran, swept down upon their camp at night. In the ensuing struggle, the Turanians destroyed two-thirds of the Iranian army.