BABOL

also spelled Babul, formerly Barfurush, city, northern Iran, on the Babol River, about 15 miles (24 km) south of the Caspian Sea. Babol gained importance during the reign (17971834) of Fath 'Ali Shah, though 'Abbas I (died 1629) had laid out a pleasure garden and summer palace there. The city has paved streets, large and crowded bazaars, well-built houses, and small, handsome mosques and funeral towers. There are some manufacturing activities, but larger plants are at nearby Shahi. Meshed-e Sar, now called Babol Sar, was formerly the port of Babol on the Caspian, but it lost its function after the water level dropped. It is now a fashionable resort and has an airport. Pop. (1991) 137,348.