Abstract:

Sadeddin Khan is a significant structure, which is worth considering with some of its extraordinary architectural features, alongside Anatolian Seljuk caravanserais of the 13th century. The construction period of Sadeddin Han, which had been built in two stages by the orders of Seljuk statesman Sadeddin Köpek during the years of 1236 -1237, is also simultaneous to a government changeover in Seljuk state. After the death of Sultan Alaaeddin Keykubad, Sultan Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev succeeded to the throne and during his rule several incidents took place, affecting the Seljuk state. As mentioned on the written sources of the period, this change of power helped Sadeddin Köpek, the donor of Sadeddin Khan, gain significant political strength and authority. In this study, the probable relation between Sadeddin Khan extraordinary architectural features and its donor’s gaining political strength during the construction period of the Khan is examined. The reasons lying behind the caravanserai’s unusual plan outlines and the builder’s efforts of obtaining a wide and flamboyant entrance facade were researched considering the readings of traces and details on the building. The results showed that; the Khan had been enlarged on the second stage of its construction period including the addition of special spaces for private accommodation, and the existing plan form had emerged due to these alterations. In order to determine the date for the decision of enlargement precisely, the information about the change of power from the written sources, the seasonal factors and architectural requirements that affect the construction processes are also considered. It is figured out that, the decision of enlargement had very probably been taken at some time at the middle of the construction period of the second stage, and it is very probably corresponding to the date of Sultan Alaeddin’s death and enthronement of Sultan Gıyaseddin II. Therefore, it became more evident that the decision of enlargement that had been taken during the construction process of the Khan, and the extraordinary architectural features that had emerged due to this, could be related to the government changeover in Seljuk state in 1237 and the political power gained by the donor of Sadeddin Khan. Written sources on Anatolian Seljuk Caravanserais, Sadeddin Khan and the history of Anatolian Seljuks were used as the sources for this study. Alongside these sources Sadeddin Khan was visited on regular basis to collect information by making field observations and documentation.

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