n.
or I 1E63; fah 0101; n
City (pop., 1996: 1,266,072), west-central Iran.
An ancient Median town, it was known as Aspadana. It was a major city of the Selj 016B; q dynasty (11th13th centuries AD) and of the Safavid dynasty of Iran (16th18th centuries). Its golden age began in 1598 when Shah Abb 0101; s I made it his capital and rebuilt it into one of the 17th century's greatest cities. At its centre he created the immense Mayd 0101; n-e Sh 0101; h, or Royal Square, a great rectangular garden enclosing the Masjid-e Sh 0101; h (Royal Mosque). In 1722 Afghanis took the city, and it went into decline. Recovery began in the 20th century, and it is now a major textile centre, whose other industries include steelmaking and petroleum refining.