Seljuk Caravanserai (Khan)

Timeline

1. c. 1050–1100Trade routes from the Iranian Plateau to Mesopotamia · West AsiaGreat Seljuk vizier Nizam al-Mulk implemented policies securing trade routes, establishing official caravanserais and postal relay stations across the empire, offering merchants three days of free food and lodging with stationed guards. This system integrated scattered lodging into state infrastructure, setting a policy precedent for later Anatolian Seljuk caravanserai construction.
2. 1111–1120Trade route from Konya to Acre · Sultanate of RumIn the early twelfth century the Sultanate of Rum gradually built stone caravanserais along Anatolia's east–west trunk routes; despite frequent succession disputes, trade route security remained a vital source of revenue. The caravanserais used courtyard layouts with arched gateways, stables, prayer rooms, and merchant stalls, combining Seljuk architecture with the needs of caravan travel.
3. 1229–1278Trade route from Aksaray to Sivas · TurkeyUnder 'Ala al-Din Kayqubad I the Sultanate of Rum built stone caravanserais on a large scale along Anatolian trade routes; the Sultan's Caravanserai and the Ahlat Caravanserai became masterpieces of Seljuk architecture. Grand in scale and richly decorated, they combined lodging, storage, religious, and defensive functions, marking the zenith of the caravanserai system and architectural tradition.