Trade life in Tokat and 18th-19th. economic reflections of tradeing venues in centuries

The main purpose of this study is researching economic benefits and functions of caravansary, inn and bedesten (covered bazaar) to local city economy of Tokat between 16th and 19th centuries. Secondary resources such as books, parts of books, articles, magazines, thesises etc. are analyzed in the study. According to the data of the study, ancient trading routes such as the Silk Road, the Royal Road and the Spice Road had strong effects of development of economic structure of Anatolia. Tokat is located on the Silk Road and aslo on the junction of trading routes. Tokat had become one of important strategical places thanks to this role of being important trade center in Seljuk and Ottoman era. Tokat, which is one of the most important cities of Anatolia, draws attention because of socio-economic development between 13rd and 14th centuries. Tokat has a lot of business sector in its developing economic structure. Leading sectors are copperworks, leather trade, silk weaving, stamping, art of manuscripting. These sectors are Tokat's focal points in terms of trade because of city's rich background thanks to the trade roads. These trade roads effect architecture as well so one can see many caravansares, inns and bedestens in and around Tokat. The main purpose of this study is determining the place of these architectural structures in local economy of Tokat. The datas indicate that Tokat inns strongly contribute to city's economy. Taxes which were coming from inns were as much as one of thirds of other taxes which were coming from other artisans. Inns were contribute to local economy with their employment opportunities as well. Traders who were accomodating in the inns were also contributing to local economy indirectly.