MASHHAD

n.

or Meshed

City (pop., 1996: 1,887,405), northeastern Iran.

It is situated in the valley of the Kashaf River. For centuries it has been an important trade centre along the caravan routes and highways of the Middle East. It was damaged in a Mongol attack in 1220 and was sacked by Turkmen and Uzbeks in the 16th–17th centuries. N 0101; dir Shah (r. 1736–47) made Mashhad his capital. The city is the burial place of H 0101; r 016B; n al-Rash 012B; d and a site of pilgrimage for Sh 012B; 02BD; ite Muslims visiting the tomb of the eighth Sh 012B; 02BD; ite imam, 02BD; Al 012B; al-Ri 1E0D; 0101; 02BE; .