Qum is an important town of more than 500,000.00 inhabitants and, like Mashahad-which is the most frequented place of pilgrimage in iran-it is one of the principal holy towns. It lies at a distance of some 160 kilometers( 999 miles) from Tehran in the direction of Isfehan. Legend tells us that it was founded by King Tahmurath of mythical dynasty of the Peshdadids. According to Yakut,the Arab geographer and Philologist, the town was in existence before Islam, and the Arabs abridged its name from Kumandan to Qum. The carpet industry only began in the 1930's. the looms are situated within the town itself. Although the rugs of Qum do not match the delicacy of those from Kashan and Isfehan, they can be included among the finest in the country. Recently, the production of silk rugs has progressed well, enhancing the reputation of the carpets of Qum in short time. The variety of the production is immense and their exports has increased to all of the world.
