Kaleybar

Kaleybar (Persian: كليبر‎‎) (Azerbaijani: Kəleybər كليبر); also Romanized as Kalībar, Kalipar, Keleibar, and Keleivar) is a city in and the capital of Kaleybar County, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. According to the 2006 census, Kaleybar, with a population of 9,030 in 2,397 families, is the 25th most populated city of the province. In recent year the city has become a tourist destination thanks to its proximity to Babak Castle. In addition, as a result of geopolitical developments Kaleybar is gradually replacing Ahar as the capital city of Qareh Dagh region.

History

Kaleybar, known as Badd or Baddayn (or Bedh) in Islamic chronicles, was the stronghold of Babak Khorramdin who, in 816 AD, revolted against Islamic Caliphate. Babak's resistance was ended in 836 when he was defeated by the Iranian General Afshin, acting on behalf of the Caliphate. The events of the two decades long tumultuous times subjected the town to the reports of early Islamic historians.

The first reference to Kaleybar has been by Al-Masudi in The Meadows of Gold, Babak revolted in Bedh region with the deciples of Djavidan ...Following a series of defeats Babak was blockaded in his native town..., which even now is known as Babak's country.