Edirne Sultan Bayezid II's Waqf (1484-1826)

Today, state duties such as education, health, nutrition, housing, employment and transportation were fulfilled by waqfs during the Ottoman Empire. Philanthropists have allocated many sources of income in order to ensure that the waqfs they have established provide services. In particular, the income sources of the waqfs established by the members of the dynasty are very diverse and the budgets of these waqfs are quite large. The daily life expenses of the waqf were covered by the income generated. The information about the waqf was first recorded in the waqf charter and later in the waqf account books after the waqf started to provide services. By examining these resources, it is obtained a wealth of important information about the economic, social and cultural life of the waqfs. Sultan Bayezid II also built a waqf complex consisting of a mosque, madrasah, darüşşifa, imaret and a bridge in Edirne. The darüşşifa and madrasa of this waqf have been introduced in many studies before. All units of the waqf were introduced in terms of architecture and art history. However, no study has been conducted that examines all waqf units together and comprehensively. In particular, no study has been written examining a long period from the establishment of the waqf, together with its waqf charters and account books. For these reasons, our study was written by comparing these main sources. The sources of income of the waqf were located in the villages and cities of Rumelia and Thrace. These consisted of various taxes and immovable properties such as baths, mills, shops, fields, vineyards, gardens. Thanks to these incomes, a lively social and economic life was experienced in the waqf. Therefore, the waqf has added vitality to life in Edirne. In its early years, the foundation's income paid its expenses, but over time, its economic situation deteriorated. Its income could no longer cover its expenses. This is not only the case for the Bayezid waqf. The incomes of many waqfs have been combined so that they can continue to provide services. Some sultan waqfs and a few waqfs belonging to individuals in Edirne were connected to the Bayezid II Waqf and their revenues were collected together. In this way, it has been tried to ensure the continuity of service of the waqfs. The expenses of the Sultan Bayezid II's Waqf consisted of staff salaries, repair costs, kitchen expenses and various other needs. The waqf paid not only its own expenses but also the expenses of some waqfs in Edirne that were merged with it.