Babol

About Babol

Babol is a city in the Central District of Babol County, Mazandaran province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. Babol is divided into two metropolitan areas (under Iranian law).

Founded by the Safavids in the 16th century, it was built on the site of the ancient city of Mah Mithra (great Mithra). Mithra or 'The Mediator' was believed to be the savior of creation from the threat of darkness and the one who stands between the light of Ahura Mazda and the darkness of Ahriman. Babol was formerly called Barforushdeh (meaning Market Town) and Barforush afterwards. In 1931, the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty Reza Shah (1878-1944) ordered urban planning efforts to commence in the city and changed its name to Babol, which means city with abundant water supply.

Mazandarani people have a background in Tabari ethnicity and speak Mazandarni. Their origin goes back to the Tapuri people, who were forced to migrate to the south coast of the Caspian Sea during the Achaemenid dynasty.

The native people of Sari, Shahi, Babol, Amol, Nowshahr, Chalus...

Overview adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA. Photography via Wikimedia Commons.