Illustrationby:AdrianMannTHE COURTYARD
At the centre of a caravanserai was
an open-air courtyard, which usually
featured a fountain or a well to
provide water for travellers and their
animals. Some caravanserais also
had a sabil or sebil, a fountain that
was used for ritual ablutions.ROOMS
Caravanserais had at least two
levels, with the upper levels
containing small rooms for
merchants to rest after a long
journey. Some of these rooms
came with a small window and
possibly a place for a fire.
MAINTAINING ORDER
The day-to-day running of these inns
was managed by a caretaker. It was their
responsibility to collect entrance fees from
those wishing to stay at the caravanserai,
oversee transactions made in the marketplace,
and maintain security.MOSQUE
Religious beliefs were spread by
travellers and pilgrims as they met along
the Silk Road. Islam spread throughout
Central Asia in the early Middle Ages
and so many caravanserais had small
mosques located in the courtyard.PUBLIC BATHHOUSE
The larger caravanserais located along the trade
routes often had additional amenities such as public
baths for travellers to wash themselves after a long
journey. Some caravanserais had hammams, a steam
bath that is associated with the Islamic world.THE
MARKETPLACE
Passing merchants could
trade and sell their wares
in these roadside inns’
marketplaces, which were
either inside or attached to
the caravanserai. The larger
caravanserais along the Silk
Road would have multiple
shops and stalls, called
bazaars, running throughout
the centre.THE SILK ROAD