SERPUKHOV

also spelled Serpuchov city, Moscow oblast (province), western Russia, on the Nara River at its confluence with the Oka. Founded in 1374 as a stronghold protecting Moscow from attack by the Tatars, who sacked it in 1382 and 1408, modern Serpukhov is a major textile (cotton and artificial silk) city; engineering is also important. Pop. (1991 est.) 141,200.