SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This work is a study of the Iranian caravansarai during the Safavid period. It describes the buildings which for economic and religious reasons were erected during this period. It consists of seven chapters as follows: Chapter one: consists of three parts, introduction, historical background and outline history of the Iranian caravansarai. Chapter two: Caravan Routes and Caravansarais, describes old caravan routes across the Iranian plateau and the caravansarais which were erected along these routes during different periods. Chapter three: consists of a description of the Iranian caravansarai from the early Islamic period up to the end of the Timurid period and its development in its various aspects. Chapter four: deals with Iran during the Safavid period, and consists of subsections with special reference to the Political Situation, Art and Architecture, Decoration and travellers who visited Iran during the Safavid dynasty. Chapter five: is a description of four differnt types of Safavid caravansarais in different cities of Iran. Chapter six: In this chapter is the first translation of a British Museum manuscript dealing with Safavid Caravansarais in Isfahan. It is the writer's belief that this hitherto neglected document is an important addition to our knowledge of these structures. Chapter seven: contains the conclusion, which sums up the result of the investigation and is followed by a list of Safavid rulers, and a bibliography. Illustrations of Iranian caravansarais form the final section of this work.