The historical factors of the Emer gence and development of Karbala’ town in the middle Islamic ages

Abstract EN

Towns are regarded as the most important phenomenon of the settlement of the human society.

Since the dawn of the civilizations, the cities have been considered as the best civic achievements that contributed in the progress and promotion of the humanity.

Town represents the urbanization which has also been emanated from several historical developments.

These developments appeared in the early period as urban gatherings on the river banks in particular as in the ancient beginnings of the Indian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian Civilizations.

Furthermore, it seems that the geographical factors have more influential roles in the rise of the culture of Iraq over various ages.

The abundant water resources, in part, the ability of the Mesopotamian person to invent and the fertile soil led to the existence of many human gatherings which were gradually transformed into civilized city communities.

These populated colonies were, however, characterized by living by the river shores, therefore, it has been said that the water and the civilization as an inseparable twin.

This feature is theoretically applied on different phases of the urban progress upto the Islamic Era.

Then cities appeared as a result for military needs as Kufa and Basra, as an administrative one as Wasit and Samara or as a religious factor as Najaf and Karbala’.

Anyway, Karbala’ Town, our theme, is one of the Iraqi towns that emerged as a response to religious motive during the Islamic period.

This mainly resulted from a significant incident occurred on the land of which.

That was the Taff Battle which ended in the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (pbuh) and his brother Imam Abbas (pbuh) and the buryof their virtuous bodies therein.

Hence, this land contained the bloods of the household of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) which have been shed to be an example followed by every inherent pious man.

Thus, Karbala’ became one of the most important towns in theological, archaeological and economic sides.