Kum, Or Koom, a town of Persia, capital of a district of the same name in the province of Irak-Ajemi, 78 m. S. by W. of Teheran. It is important from its situation on the high road between the N. and S. portions of the country. Anciently it was a place of great magnificence, and had a population of 100,000; the number is now only about 8,000. Portions of the town are in ruins, it having been destroyed by the Afghans when they invaded Persia in 1722. Within its walls is the tomb of Fatima, a near descendant of the prophet, who is believed to have an intercessory influence. Her tomb is covered with plates of gold, and the city is on her account one of the most favorite burial grounds in the country. The bazaars are numerous and extensive. There are manufactures of chinaware of inferior quality, of pottery, and of jars for cooling water, which are much esteemed. The town is supposed to occupy the site of the ancient Choana, and to have been built early in the 9th century, from the ruins of seven towns, which composed a small sovereignty under an Arabic prince.