Quick Facts
Biography
Pahlavān Mahmoud, more commonly known as Pouryā-ye Vali (died 1322 CE), was an Iranian Sufi and chess champion. He is famous for his chivalrous behavior and his strength and is still a paradigm for Zourkhāneh athletes, as well as his chess prowess.
The nickname Pouryā-ye Vali has been attributed to Pahlavān Mahmoud in Iran. The location of his tomb is uncertain and believed to be either in Khiva, Uzbekistan or in Khoy, Iran.
He also wrote a book titled Kanz ol-Haghayegh (literally The Treasure of Truths) in Persian. A couplet from him which is sung in Zourkhaneh, is:
افتادگی آموز اگر طالب فیضی هرگز نخورد آب زمینی که بلند است
Pronunciation:
oftādegi āmooz agar tālebe feyzi, hargez nakhorad āb zamini ke boland ast
Literal translation:
Learn modesty if you desire knowledge, A high land would never be irrigated