[1] Historically, al-Karkh has been a commerce market during the Abbasid Caliphate, located outside the main Round City due to safety concerns.

[citation needed] Al-Karkh dates back to the early Abbasid period, specifically under Abu Ja’far al-Mansur.

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.

Markets exported silk textiles, cotton, turbans, crystals, potions, glazed wares, and various oils.

[7] 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.

[4] When ‘Adud al-Dawla took the throne of the dynasty, he found Baghdad in bad shape and ordered many of its aspects to be rebuilt, including its markets.

Ibn Jubayr had visited Baghdad at this time and noted its decline, he had described al-Karkh as a walled city.

Soldiers were sent to stop the fighting and keep the order but crowds reportedly pillaged al-Karkh and burned down many of its places, killed many persons, and kidnapped women.

[14] During the Ottoman period, many houses in Baghdad were poorly built and streets were narrow although the city remained a place for commerce with many foreign merchants coming.

It was defenseless until Sulayman the Great, the Mamluk ruler of Iraq, built a wall and a ditch around al-Karkh and restored peace.

During his visit in 1818, Sir Robert Ker Porter found al-Karkh well-furnished with shops along numerous streets.

[19] During the Royal era of Iraq, al-Karkh was the home to various cafés, three of which existed in al-Ja’ifar locality.

The Arab game al-Sas was played during the holidays here and it was common to find women selling yogurt on the streets.

The palace was built for King Faisal II to reside in following his marriage to the Egyptian Princess Fazile Hanımsultan.

The demonstrators dropped it to be smashed into small pieces, as an expression of their anger and announcing the fall of the monarchy and the beginning of the republic.

[24] The older areas of al-Karkh became heritage and historical sites and were home to many well-known figures such as Mulla Abboud al-Karkhi and the poet Kazem Ismail al-Katea.

[27] On April 7, 2007, in the wake of Sectarianist violence in Iraq, after Friday Prayers were done, the ancient Buratha Mosque was targeted by a triple suicide bombing that left 85 people dead and 160 injured.

Major weapons were identified inside al-Karkh High School, cordoned off the area, and allowed only pedestrian traffic on Haifa Street.

[citation needed] In late January, 200 CBS News correspondent Lara Logan had also filed a report about fighting alongside the coalition forces on Haifa Street.

The palace was built by the last king of Iraq, Faisal II, in the early 1950s, and later President Saddam Hussein expanded it during the nineties.

During the US-led invasion of Iraq, the palace became a base of operations for American troops and their allies before it was handed to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in 2009.

Iraqis generally believe it is the same location where the Muslim Arabs defeated the Persians in 636 and this historic event is seen to be the beginning of Islamic domination of the region.

Adding to the festive appeal of the grounds were three refreshment booths that sold ice cream, cold beverages, and candy.

Al-Rasheed Hotel, the tomb of Michel Aflaq, Ibn Sina Hospital, the Baghdad Clock, The Swords of Qādisīyah monuments, the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, al-Salam Palace, al-Mansour Cinema, al-Mansour theater and the Akito Fine Art Hall are all located in this area.

As well as containing a number of embassies and international organizations, the headquarters of the prime minister, parliament, and some independent ministries and bodies, in addition to the homes of prominent officials and politicians in the Iraqi government.

The café was visited by James Silk Buckingham in 1819 and was impressed by its lights which were on the waves of the Tigris River.

In the spring of 1954, the levels of the Tigris River rose due to the abundance of rain, which led to the flooding of the city of Baghdad and the destruction of the café.

In addition to being a place frequented by adults and children for leisure and entertainment, it is a small forum in which issues related to economic, political, and other affairs are usually discussed.

Established in 1979 and was considered a landmark of Baghdad in its design, location, and cognitive role in scientific and astronomical development in the city.

The top of the tower is a large Islamic dome that gives a panoramic view of Baghdad that can be seen by visitors.