Islamic Architecture (continued)

VI. Caravanserai ("Caravan Inns")

Introduction: Muslim civilization always has been mobile (moving). Both the Arabs and the conquerors from Central Asia were originally nomadic and inherited a tradition of travel. Large armies were constantly on the move. Students and scholars undertook long journeys to sit at the feet of famous masters. The wealth of cities depended upon the trade. And finally, the Faith of Islam required of the Faithful the most powerful of all reasons for travel -- pilgrimage.

A. Why were caravanserai built?

In the harsh conditions in the countryside of most Islamic countries, travelers needed places of rest and shelter as they traveled between the widely spaced cities and towns. This led to the construction of caravanserais (or "khans"). They were often built by the rulers to encourage trade which they taxed.

The main function of a caravanserai was to receive travelers and merchandise. These caravanserai consisted of courtyards to take care of animals, rooms to lodge the travelers, and storage areas for their goods. The caravanserais which survive today show the spread of travel and trade which developed from the first centuries of Islam onward. Adapted from IslamicArt

 

Below is a photograph of the remains of a caravanserai in Bisotun, Iran (UCB Spiro collection)

B. What was inside a caravanserai? What happened there?

This colorful drawing of a caravanserai shows a central courtyard where animals are watered and fed, storage areas below, and apartments above for the travelers. There was always a mosque and bathhouse in the caravanserai, too. Travelers could refresh themselves before continuing on. Caravans generally stayed only one or two nights before continuing their journeys. Picture from Leacroft, H., The Building of Early Islam, Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1976, UCB Spiro collection - shown below. For enlargement, press [here].

C. Why did rulers build caravanserai?

Caravans traveled along the Silk Roads to China. One of the most traveled routes is shown below, going from China to Istanbul, Turkey (Constantinople). Caravanserai were built about one day's travel apart, about 30 - 40 miles away. It was along routes like these that caravanserai were built by powerful rulers who wanted to ecourage trade. (Rulers taxed traders and therefore they wanted to keep trade routes safe and open.)

For more images of a Caravanserai, see:

• See a drawing of a caravanserai in Turkey ( UCB Spiro collection)
• See a great panoramic photograph of a shepherd outside of a caravanserai in Gaz, Iran [from Michell, G., Architecture of the Islamic World, London, Thames & Hudson, 1978. UCB Spiro collection]
• See a caravanserai in Afghanistan in the mountain snows (Luke Powell photo; GeoImages Project)
• Read about the Royal Caravanserai in Turkey and a caravanserai in northern Iran (Cultural Academy)

Go back to Islamic Architecture, Page 1 - Mosques Go to Islamic Architecture: Page 2 - Inside a Mosque Go to Islamic Architecture, Page 3 - Palaces Go to Islamic Architecture, Page 4 - Forts, Castles Go to Islamic Architecture, Page 5 - Homes You are here at Page 6, Caravanserai. Go to Islamic Architecture, Page 7 - Bath houses, Tombs, and Architecture