Sabzevar About this sound pronunciation (help·info) (Persian: سبزوار) is a city in, and the capital of
Sabzevar County, in
Razavi Khorasan Province in northeastern
Iran.
At the 2006 census, its population was 208,172, in 57,024 families.
It is approximately 220 kilometres west of
Mashhad,
...see more the provincial capital. In ancient times it was called Beihagh (Beyhaq).
Sabzevar is the commercial center for an agricultural region producing Grapes and Raisins.
There is some small-scale industry, for food processing, cooperware and electric motors. Through the old bazaar of Sabzevar fresh, dried, and preserved fruits and vegetables are exported.
Sabzevar is connected to Tehran and Mashhad by road. Sabzevar Airport provides domestic flights.
The history of Sabzevar goes back to the 1st millennium BC.
Ancient remains include fire-temple 'Azarbarzin' which is still visible.
After the Mongol invasion of Iran, the city was the first part of Iran that moved towards its freedom, under the lead of the Sarbedaran movement.
In 14th century Timur invaded Iran, and despite the brave defence of Sabzevar's population, he destroyed the city quite completely.
Contemporary sources mentions 90,000 people having been murdered by Timur. After killing all men in the town, he cut their heads and made 3 pyramids of the heads, in what is now the modern Sarberiz (meaning "Place of heads") square.
Sabzevar Province had been lost by the Safavids to the Uzbeks of Transoxiana, but was regained following a Safavid counter-offensive around 1600, along with Herat and Farah.
Reference: www.wikipedia.org
