Abstract:

In general, the waqf is people’s spending some or all of their properties for the purpose of establishing charitable instutions and to continue their activities in order to get God’s approval. With this thought, many new awqaf were established in Aksaray in the 19th century and a considerable part of the awqaf that were established in the previous periods continued their activities in these years. One of these awqaf is “Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey Mosque Foundation”. It was founded in order to meet the expenses of Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey Mosque, which has a historical importance since the Anatolian Seljukian period. Karamanoğlu İbrahim Bey Mosque, Karamanoğlu Mosque or Cami-i Kebir (Grand Mosque) in the archives, this historical mosque has survived to the present day with the financial means provided by its awqaf and still continues to be the most important temple of Aksaray. In this study prepared in the light of the books and documents obtained from the General Directorate of Foundations and the Ottoman Archives of the Prime Ministry, the history and characteristics of the Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey Mosque, XIX. century, the repair and expenses of the mosque, the waqf’s staff, the waqf’s revenues and expenses are discussed in detail.

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