The Impact of Textile Industry on the Spatial Development of Isfahan during the Safavid Era (Based on Travel Accounts)

During the Safavid Period, because of the great interest of Safavid statesmen in industry and their support of artists and industrialists, industry grew to a large extent. Here, the textile industry enjoyed a particular status. The extent of the growth of this industry can be inferred from the country’s complete self-sufficiency in the field of textiles and the vast export of textile products to other countries during the Safavid era. Moreover, during this period, Isfahan was considered to be one of the most important centers for weaving silk and gold-thread fabrics, which comprise a noticeable volume of the required fabrics for public use and export. Based on available evidence, the city of Isfahan greatly developed during this period, which owed a great debt to the growth of the textile industry. This study was conducted in order to explore the role of the textile industry in the development of Isfahan during the Safavid era. The role of industry in urban development is a new problem witnessed in recent centuries. In fact, there is no text or report focusing directly on the relationship between industry and urban development in the sources and documents left from the Safavid period. Accordingly, in this study, through the processing and analysis of historical data in library sources, such as travel accounts and historical books, the impact of the growth of the textile industry on the development of the city of Isfahan was explored. The results indicated that this industry played a significant role in this regard during the Safavid era.