KARBALA, a town in 'Iraq situated in 32° 40' N., 44' E., 6c m. S.S.W. of Baghdad on the Husainya canal, 20 M. W. of the Hindiya branch of the Euphrates, on the edge of the Syrian desert. The population is estimated at 50,00o of whom 75% are Persians and the rest Shiah Arabs, as in Najaf only Muslims may reside in the town. A branch line joins the Baghdad-Basra railway north of Hilla. There is also a caravan route to Hilla and one to Najaf. The town possesses a telegraph and post office. The town is a centre of pilgrimage for all Shiah Muslims. It is second only in holiness to Mecca and Najaf and is visited by the old and infirm and by pious pilgrims bearing their dead, for burial in these holy places is a certain way to paradise. Being both a pilgrim centre and a "desert port" considerable trade is done, the exports consisting principally of dates, hides, wool and pious objects. In return Karbala buys Manchester goods, car pets, candles, spices, coffee and tea.
The country round the town is fertile and well irrigated and there are considerable groves of date palms. The outer town has broad streets, but the inner town (within the walls almost destroyed by the Turks in 1843) is of the usual narrow streeted and crooked lane type of all old Oriental cities. It was here that Husain, the Muslim martyr and son of Ali was murdered by the soldiers of Yasid in A.D. 680. The town centres about his shrine, which includes a gilded dome and three gilded minarets.
Like Najaf the ecclesiastical revenues of the town are very great, but Karbala, owing to its position on the edge of the allu vial plain is able not only to act as an entrepot for desert goods, but also to raise agricultural products. In addition to being itself a holy place, it acts as a stopping place on the way for pilgrims both to Najaf and to Mecca.