KERMANSHAH

formerly Bakhtaran, city, western Iran. The city lies in the fertile valley of the Qareh Su River and is situated on the ancient caravan route between the Mediterranean Sea and Central Asia. It was founded in the 4th century AD by Bahram IV of the Sasanian dynasty. Conquered by the Arabs in 640, the town was called Qirmasin (Qirmashin). Under Seljuq rule in the 11th century, it was the chief town of Kordestan. The Safavids (ruled 15011736) fortified the town, and the Qajars repulsed an attack by the Turks during Fath 'Ali Shah's rule (17971834). Occupied by the Turkish Army in 1915 during World War I, it was evacuated in 1917. The construction of a road in the 1950s over the age-old Khorasan track added considerably to the importance of the city. It is now a fairly important industrial centre; industries include textile manufacturing, food processing, oil refining, carpet making, sugar refining, and the production of electrical equipment and tools. It is connected by road to Tabriz, Hamadan, and Qazvin and has an airport. The surrounding region is one of the richest agricultural areas of Iran; its agriculture is now mostly mechanized. Irrigation is largely used in the upland valleys. Wheat and barley, corn (maize), clover, beans, oilseeds, rice, fruit, and vegetables are the main crops, and the hills in the area provide good pasturage. The inhabitants are mainly Kurds of many different tribes, most of whom settled in urban areas after World War II. The history of the area extends back into antiquity, as many local monuments of Achaemenid and Sasanid origin demonstratee.g., the rock carvings at Bisitun and Tag-e Bostan. There are also many prehistoric remains in the form of mounds and formerly inhabited caves. Pop. (1991) 624,084; (1994 est.) 665,636.