AMOL
AMO’L, a town of Persia, in the province of Mazanderan, on the Heraz, a river which flows into the Caspian Sea; 76 miles north-east from Teheran. The town is unwalled, but has good bazaars, and is a place of considerable prosperity and wealth. The river, which is powerful and rapid, is crossed by a bridge of twelve arches. Extensive ruins indicate the former importance of Amol. Its most notable building is the mausoleum of Seyed Quam-u-deen, king of Sari and Amol, who died in 1378. In the suburbs are a grand palace, which once belonged to Shah Abbas, and three towers, said to have been temples of the ancient Guebres, or fire-worshipers. The inhabitants of A. cultivate rice and cotton, or are employed in the iron forges and cannon-foundries of the district. The pop. in winter, when greatest, is estimated at 35,000 or 40,000; in summer, many of the inhabitants retire to summer residences in the mountains, which approach within about five or six miles of the town on the south.