Kay Kawad

Kay Kawad (also known as Kay Qobad, Avestan 𐬐𐬀𐬎𐬎𐬌 𐬐𐬀𐬎𐬎𐬁𐬙𐬀 Kauui Kauuāta) is a mythological figure of Iranian folklore and oral tradition. The 'Kay' stock epithet identifies Kawad as a Kayanian, a mythological dynasty that in tradition Kay Kawad was also the founder of.

Kobad lived in the Alborz mountains and it was Rostam who brought him to the Istakhr capital.

In the tradition preserved in the Shahnameh, Kay Kawad was a descendant of Manuchehr, and lived in the Alborz mountains, and was brought to the Estaxr (the capital) by Rustam. Under Nowzar, who loses the x^varənah for oppressing the Iranians, the Pishdādi dynasty grows weak, and Iran falls to the Aniranian General Afrasiab, who kills Nowzar in battle. Then however, Kawad defeats Afrasiyab in personal combat, and for this feat and because he possesses the x^varənah he is elected king by the Iranians, and the descendants of Nowzar—Zou, Garshasp and Gastham—pay him allegiance.