ISPAHAN, is-pa-hin', or ISFAHAN, Persia, city and former capital, 210 miles south of Teheran, in the midst of an extensive plain watered by the broad river Zendeh, here crossed by five bridges. In the time of Chardin (q.v.), from 1664 to 1681, the walls were 24 miles in circuit, and contained 162 mosques, 48 colleges, 1,802 caravansaries and 273 public baths, and the population was then estimated at 600,000: A great part of the city is at present a mass of ruins. Under the caliphs of Bagdad• it be came the capital of the province of Irak. Situ ated in the centre of the empire, and surrounded by the most fertile territories, it soon became a place of great population, wealth and trade. In 1387 it was taken by Tamerlane and the citizens were given up to indiscriminate mas sacre; 70,000 are said to have perished. In 1722 it was taken by the Afghans, when the capital was removed to Teheran; but in 1727 it was retaken by Nadir Shah, since which it has not been a royal residence. The gteat
palace built 'by Shah Abbas is said to have been five miles in circuit, a great part of which space, however, was laid out in 10 gardens, adorned with summer houses. The square called Maidan Shah was one-third of a mile in length, and was formerly encircled by a canal bordered with plane-trees. The principal buildings still standing are the Chehel Sutun or Hall of Many Columns, the palace of Hasht Behest or Eight Paradises, two mosques and the 18th century medresseh (school) and caravansary. The streets are narrow, winding, irregular, unpaved and very dusty. When Ispahan was in its prosperity its suburbs were distinguished for their extent and •beauty. The manufactures' of the city are still extensive, including trinkets, fire-arms, sword-blades, glass and earthenware. The textile fabrics range from the most ex pensive velvet and satin to the coarsest nan keen and calico. The present population is about 75,000.