---
title: A Game of Shatranj
author: Mulla ʿAlī & Amīr Ḵalīl
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20945/a-game-of-shatranj/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2025-09-12
---

# A Game of Shatranj

_Authored by Mulla ʿAlī & Amīr Ḵalīl_

## Image File

[![A Game of Shatranj](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20945.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20945.jpg)

## Image Caption

A game of *shatranj*, section of a miniature painting in the *Baysunghur [Shahnameh](https://www.worldhistory.org/shahnameh/)* illustrated manuscript by Mulla ʿAlī & Amīr Ḵalīl, 1430.

Depicted here is a 6th-century game of *shatranj*, a predecessor to contemporary chess, being demonstrated to the [Sasanian](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sasanian_Empire/) King of Kings by the vizier Bozorgmehr and another courtier. As it was told, the game was sent from [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/) to test the sages of Iran; Bozorgmehr, to send a puzzle in return, devised the game of *nard*, the forerunner to backgammon.

Royal Library, Golestan [Palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) Museum, Tehran.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Ḵalīl, M. ʿ. &. A. (2025, September 11). A Game of Shatranj. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20945/a-game-of-shatranj/>
### Chicago
Ḵalīl, Mulla ʿAlī & Amīr. "A Game of Shatranj." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 11, 2025. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20945/a-game-of-shatranj/>.
### MLA
Ḵalīl, Mulla ʿAlī & Amīr. "A Game of Shatranj." *World History Encyclopedia*, 11 Sep 2025, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20945/a-game-of-shatranj/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bayasanghori_Shahnameh_5_(cropped).jpg) by [**Mulla ʿAlī & Amīr Ḵalīl**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bayasanghori_Shahnameh_5_(cropped).jpg). Submitted by [Howard Burton](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/irenaburton/ "User Page: Howard Burton"), published on 11 September 2025. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.