Isfahan Bazaar and Commercial Reorganization under Shah Abbas I (1590s–1620s)

1. Naqsh-e Jahan square formalized with shop arcades

   Jan 1, 1590Labels: Naqsh-e Jahan, Shop arcades

   • Iranica

2. Capital transferred from Qazvin to Isfahan

   Jan 1, 1598Labels: Isfahan, Shah Abbas

   • Britannica
   • Iranica
   • Met Museum

3. Construction of the new royal square advances

   Jan 1, 1598Labels: Naqsh-e Jahan, Bazaar network

   • UNESCO
   • Britannica

4. Ali Qapu palace gateway expanded at royal precinct

   Jan 1, 1600Labels: Ali Qapu, Royal precinct

   • Iranica
   • Britannica

5. State silk monopoly strengthens central commercial control

   Jan 1, 1600Labels: State silk, Silk trade

   • Met Museum

6. Two-story shops around the square reinforce retail capacity

   Jan 1, 1602Labels: Two-story shops, Arcades

   • Britannica
   • Iranica

7. Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque built for courtly district

   Jan 1, 1603Labels: Sheikh Lotfollah, Court district

   • Britannica

8. Deportation from Old Julfa begins Armenian resettlement

   Oct 21, 1604Labels: Old Julfa, Armenian deportation

   • Iranica

9. New Julfa established near Isfahan’s commercial core

   Jun 1, 1605Labels: New Julfa, Armenian community

   • Iranica
   • Met Museum

10. Shah Mosque construction begins on the square’s south side

    Jan 1, 1611Labels: Shah Mosque, Naqsh-e Jahan

    • Britannica
    • UNESCO

11. Pietro della Valle describes the square’s near-completion

    Jan 1, 1617Labels: Pietro della, Royal square

    • Britannica
    • Britannica

12. New Julfa lands granted to Armenian settlers

    Jan 1, 1619Labels: New Julfa, Land grants

    • Iranica

13. Naqsh-e Jahan ensemble completed by end of Abbas reign

    Jan 1, 1629Labels: Naqsh-e Jahan, Safavid monuments

    • UNESCO
    • Britannica