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Russia Engages the World, 1453-1825
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World Symbol The Safavid Persian Capital of Isfahan


Russia's Globalization:
A Key

Events marked Russia Symbol are specific to Muscovy/Russia's internal development.
Those marked World Symbol are important world historical or cultural events.
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               World Symbol    The Safavid Persian Capital of Isfahan

Cornelis de Bruin (1652–1726 or 1727)
Reizen over Moskovie, door Persie en Indie [Travels Through Muscovy, Persia and the Indies]
Amsterdam: R. en G. Wetstein, J. Oosterwyk, H. van de Gaete, boekverkopers, 1714
NYPL, Slavic and Baltic Division

This panoramic view was sketched by Cornelis de Bruin, an outstanding traveler of the late 17th century. The glorious city Isfahan became the capital of Safavid Persia under Shah 'Abbas the Great (1571–1629) and was one of the most beautiful cities of its day. It careful planning and exotic architecture was admired by the Muscovite court and their European counterparts. Besieged and sacked by an Afghan tribe in 1722, the city's importance was subsequently eclipsed by Teheran.
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