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Striking view of Kom (Qom)
The map shows Qom in the early 18th Century, in the centuries following its transformation, after the city was plundered by Tamerlane and the inhabitants were massacred in the late 14th Century.
After Tamerlane, Qom gradually developed due to its religious shrine during the Saffavid dynasty. By 1503, Qom became one of the important centers of theology in relation to Shia Islam, and became a significant religious pilgrimage site.
The city suffered heavy damage again during the Afghan invasions, resulting in consequent severe economic hardships. Qom further sustained damage during the reign of Nader Shah and the conflicts between the two households of Zandieh and Qajariyeh, in order to gain power over Iran. Finally in 1793 Qom came under the control of Agha Muhammad Khan Qajar.
Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733) was a Dutch mapmaker and publisher who printed pirated editions of foreign bestsellers and illustrated books, but is best known for his voluminous output of maps and atlases. Van der Aa was born to a German stonecutter from Holstein. Interestingly, all three van der Aa sons came to be involved in the printing business. Hildebrand was a copper engraver and Boudewyn was a printer.
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