A Research on the Proportion, Balance, and Modulation Relationship of the Caravanserais Built Under the Patronage of Kayqubad I

Authors : Melek Ersoy Demirtaş, Tuğba Erdil Dinçel

Pages : 235-257

Doi:10.53433/yyufbed.1492154

View : 83 | Download : 87

Publication Date : 2025-04-29

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study aims to examine the caravanserais (khans) built during the patronage of Kayqubad I in terms of proportion, balance, and modulation. These structures reflect the architectural understanding and technical skills of that period in both aesthetic and functional terms. The study addresses the importance of the culture of patronage within the social structure by examining the period of a ruler rather than focusing on a specific region or city. Caravanserais, particularly those from the Anatolian Seljuks, are discussed in detail concerning their structural properties, plan typologies, facade features, supporting structures, materials used, and decorations. The research also explores the role of proportion, balance, and modulation across different cultures and their interactions with Anatolian Seljuk architecture. Additionally, the presence of these concepts within Anatolian Seljuk architecture is questioned. Observational methods adopted from Orhan Cezmi Tuncer’s analysis and measurements of the Sivas Gök Medrese serve as the basis for this study. Specific khans built during the era of Kayqubad I, such as Aksaray Sultan Hanı, Tuzhisarı Sultan Hanı and Alara Han, are examined. These structures have been analyzed with regard to proportion, balance, and modulation in their plans, facades, and crown gates. The structural properties of the khans have been investigated using drawings, photographs, and digital tools. To this end, this study provides a comprehensive architectural analysis of Anatolian Seljuk period caravanserais, examining their aesthetic and structural features through the concepts of proportion, balance, and modulation.
Keywords : Anadolu Selçuklu, Denge, Kervansaray, Modülasyon, Orantı