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Why was Ray important before Tehran became Iran’s capital?
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Tehran
Mosque with cupola in the bazaar, Tehran.
Before Tehran rose to prominence, Ray (or Rayy) served as a major historical center and a predecessor to the modern capital. Its importance was established through several key roles:
- Political Capital: Ray was a capital city of the Parthian empire and later served as a capital for the Seljuq empire in the 11th century.12
- Cultural and Religious Significance: Mentioned in the Avesta as a sacred site, it was a place of great religious importance. By the 8th century, it had become a major urban center in western Asia, rivaled only by Damascus and Baghdad.2
- Economic Hub: The city was renowned for its high-quality ceramics and the production of decorated silks of unsurpassed artistic perfection.2
- Strategic Location: Throughout history, Ray remained a center of strategic advantage for military campaigns across the Iranian plateau.1
The city’s decline began due to internal religious strife and was finalized by the Mongol invasion in 1220, which led many survivors to relocate to nearby Tehran.12