Karkh

Al-Karkh or just Karkh (Arabic: الكرخ) is historically the name of the western half of Baghdad, Iraq, or alternatively, the western shore of the Tigris River as it ran through Baghdad. The eastern shore is known as al-Rusafa. Historically, al-Karkh has been a commerce market during the Abbasid Caliphate, located outside the main Round City due to safety concerns. It saw many exports and was the main business place for merchants and craftsmen. Al-Karkh has also historically suffered from infighting, fire, and floods that impacted its population and topography.

In a more limited sense, al-Karkh is one of nine administrative districts in Baghdad, with Mansour district to the west, Kadhimiya district to the northwest, and the Tigris to the north, east and south. The Green Zone (International Zone) is in this district. Today, it is also a neighborhood between the International Zone and the Tigris.

Al-Karkh's name is derived from the Syriac (ܟܪܟܐ) Karkha; citadel.^{[citation needed]}

Al-Karkh dates back to the early Abbasid period, specifically under Abu Ja’far al-Mansur. Markets played a prominent role in al-Mansur's plan for the newly built Baghdad. Although in 773, safety considerations made al-Mansur move the markets outside the Round City and relocated them to al-Karkh. This was done to keep the turbulent populace away from the Round City to ensure that the gates would not be open at night for markets. Among the markets of al-Karkh were the fruit market, the food market, the money-changers market, the bookshelf market, and the sheep market. The area became a center for merchants and craftsmen. Al-Mansur has also made canals in the area including the Isa canal.

Under Caliph Harun al-Rashid, there were three bridges in Baghdad that crossed the Tigris River. One of the more popular ones was located at al-Karkh and was called “Bab Khurasan” and it remained active until the 9th century. During the conflict between al-Amin and al-Ma’mun that lasted for fourteen months, many regions of Baghdad, which includes al-Karkh, suffered heavily although the city was revived after al-Ma’mun took the throne.

Markets became an important part of life in Baghdad and markets were especially thriving in al-Karkh. Since the time of al-Mansur, people with the title of “Muhtasib” were appointed to watch over the markets to prevent cheating and check the weighs and measures. Although they also supervised over hammams and possibly watched over mosques. Each market also had a chief hired by the Abbasid government. Baghdad, especially al-Karkh, had also seen a great incentive to commerce and the development of the banking system in the city. Sarrafs had their own markets in al-Karkh. Markets exported silk textiles, cotton, turbans, crystals, potions, glazed wares, and various oils. Among the most famous people from this period was the Sufi sheikh Ma'ruf al-Karkhi. Originally a Christian who converted to Islam, he was an important figure who was buried in a shrine which later became the Sheikh Ma'ruf Mosque which was later renovated by Abbasid Caliph al-Qa'im.

By the last quarter of the 9th century, flood and fire started to materialize. Al-Karkh was flooded in 883 and ruined about 7,000 houses. Between 920 and 921, al-Karkh suffered from a large fire.

Life in Baghdad under the Buyid dynasty was hard. While Mu'izz al-Dawla repaired some canals in 946 which improved living conditions, a period followed where some of the canals located in western Baghdad were neglected and in ruins.