caravanserai

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Alternative spellings 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Pronunciation 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Synonyms 1.4.2 Translations 1.5 References

[edit] English

[edit] Alternative spellings

• caravansarai, caravansary

[edit] Etymology

From Persian کاروانسرای (kārvānserāy), from کاروان (kārvān) ‘caravan’ + سرای (sarāy) ‘palace, dwelling’ or ‘enclosed courts’.

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /kærəˈvænsəraɪ/

[edit] Noun

caravanserai (plural caravanserais)

1. A roadside inn having a central courtyard where caravans can rest.
2. A home or shelter for caravans.

[edit] Synonyms

• khan

[edit] Translations

Interior of the Caravanserai of Sa'd al-Saltaneh in Qazvin.

Caravanserai of Shah Abbas, now a hotel, in Isfahan. View is from courtyard (sahn).

A sample plan of Safavid caravanserai.

[edit] References

• Hillenbrand, Robert. 1994. Islamic Architecture: Form, function and meaning. NY: Columbia University Press. (see Chapter VI for an in depth overview of the caravanserai).
• Sims, Eleanor. 1978. Trade and Travel: Markets and Caravanserais.' In: Michell, George. (ed.). 1978. Architecture of the Islamic World - Its History and Social Meaning. London: Thames and Hudson Ltd, 80-111.
• Yavuz, Aysil Tükel. 1997. The Concepts that Shape Anatolian Seljuq Caravanserais. In: Gülru Necipoglu (ed). 1997. Muqarnas XIV: An Annual on the Visual Culture of the Islamic World. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 80-95. Available online as a PDF document, 1.98 MB archnet.org/library/pubdownloader/pdf/8967/doc/DPC1304.pdf.