ABSTRACT
BAGDAD was the centre of the great civil and military organisation described in the preceding pages. It was cc the capital of Islam, the .eye of Irak, the seat of empire, the centre of beauty, culture, and arts." 1
The city YakCtt in his geographical encyclopredia 2 says that of Mansur. Mansur planned the city of a circular shape, surrounded
by a strong wall and a deep moat, pierced by four gates with massive iron doors. Each gate was surmounted by a gilt cupola, and was of sufficient height to allow the passage of a horseman holding aloft his lance. Inside, and at some distance from the cein/ure of the city, came the inner walls, within which arose majestically the imperial palace of Khuld with its golden gate (Bab uzzahab). Not far from the residence of the Caliph, and within the enclosure, stood the Cathedral Mosque, the mansions of the princes and nobles, the arsenal, the treasury, and other government offices. This endosure, which formed a city in itself, was called the )Jfedzllat til·
the Mahdieh, the city formed two vast semi-circles on the right and left banks of the Tigris, twelve miles in diameter. The numerous suburbs, covered with parks, gardens, villas, and beautiful promenades, and plentifully supplied with rich bazaars and finely-built mosques and baths, stretched to a considerable distance on both sides of the river. In the days of its prosperity the population of Bagdad and its suburbs amounted to over two millions t The Mahdieh was, if possible, more magnificent than the city on the western bank. The palace of the Caliph (Kasr ulKhild/at) stood in the midst of a vast park "several hours in circumference," which, besides a menagerie and aviary, comprised an enclosure for wild animal,S reserved for the chase. The palace grounds were laid out in gardens, and adorned in exquisite taste with plants, flowers, and trees, reservoirs and fountains, surrounded by sculptured figures. On this side stood the palaces of the Tahirides and other great nobles. Immense streets, none less than forty cubits wide, traversed the city on both sides of the river, from one end to the other, dividing it into blocks or quarters, each under the control of an overseer, or supervisor, who looked after the cleanliness, sanitation, and the comfort of its inhabitants. At the corner of each street were posted sentries (ashdb ul-arbuu) to maintain order. One of the principal streets or quarters was called the MamCmieh. " It was of great breadth, and extended from the canal (al-Mualld) to the gate of al-Azaj." 1
Among the numerous gates which gave access to the western city, the most important were: (I) the Bdb ush-Shamdsst"a; (2) the Bdb ul-Kazz (the Gate
of Silk); (the Convent Gate); (5) the Bdb ttSh-Shdm (the Gate of Syria); (6) the Bdb ul-Bustdn (the Garden Gate); (7) the Bdb ut-Tdk (the Gate of the Pavilion); (8) the Shiraz Gate; (9) the Khaizuran Gate; (10) the Bdb usSibydn (the Gate of Boys); ( II) the Bdb ut-tin (the Gate of Figs); (12) the Bdb ul-Azaj. On the Mahdieh side there were five, the names of which have been preserved: (I) the Bdb ul-Gltarabeh (the Gate of the Willow); (2) the Bdb stlk ut-tamar (Gate of the Date Market); (3) the Bdb un-Ni2bi (Gate of the Nubians), where the threshold was which the ambassadors were expected to kiss; (4) the Bdb ul-Admmalt (the People's Gate) ; and (5) the Bdb ul-Maratib (the Gate of Steps).
