Babol

Babol (Persian: بابل; pronunciationⓘ)[a] is a city in the Central District of Babol County, Mazandaran province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.[4] 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 Mamtir (deriving from "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.[5]