MehrÃÂb KÃÂboli () or MehrÃÂb, is a character in the Persian epic Shahnameh. He is the king of Kabol and is most famous for being the father of Rudaba and the grandfather of her son, the famous Persian hero, Rostam. His wife is Sindukht.
In the Shahnameh, MehrÃÂb of Kabul (Persian: àÃÂñçèàéçèÃÂÃÂ) appears in the episode of ZÃÂl and RudÃÂba. He is described as a descendant of ZahhÃÂk, which causes concern among the Iranian nobles when ZÃÂl falls in love with his daughter, RudÃÂba. Despite his lineage, MehrÃÂb is portrayed as a wise and noble ruler who governs Kabul with justice and dignity. His willingness to marry his daughter to ZÃÂl â a union between the Iranian and foreign royal lines â symbolizes reconciliation and the bridging of cultural divides in FerdowsiâÂÂs epic narrative.
In later interpretations, MehrÃÂbâÂÂs character is viewed as representing the tension between inherited guilt and personal virtue â a ruler descended from an evil ancestor who nonetheless embodies justice and wisdom.