The cultural and artistic activities of the ahis in Anatolian cities in the 13-14th centuries

This master's thesis examines the Ahi structures built in Anatolian cities in the 13th and 14th centuries. Ahi structures, which started to rise in Anatolia from the 13th century, are religious and social structures established by groups organized around the principles of futuwwa under the leadership of their leaders, called Ahi, in order to make their existence visible. From these religious and social structures, the zawiyas contributed greatly to the spread of the Ahi teaching and the construction of the Ahi identity. Ahi zawiyas, which were established not only to educate their supporters and to spread the Ahi doctrine, but also created an architectural tradition based on zawiyah, brought about a significant change in the physical texture of the cities. Ahi structures, which were built in almost all cities of Anatolia during the 13th and 14th centuries, were strategically located outside the bazaar centers and castles. This phenomenon is particularly evident in the urban areas of Ankara, Antalya, Denizli, Kayseri, Kırşehir, Konya, Sivas and Tokat, where the Ahis are densely settled. The main motivation of this study is the question "Why were Ahi structures built", posed by the Ahi structures built outside the bazaar centers and castles in the mentioned cities. In this study, first of all, the political and religious environment that enabled the construction of Ahi structures in the 13th and 14th centuries was tried to be understood by examining from a holistic perspective, then the structures built by the Ahis in the cities of Ankara, Antalya, Denizli, Kayseri, Kırşehir, Konya, Sivas and Tokat were examined. Within the scope of the study, 88 Ahi structures consisting of 18 verse, 11 mosques and small mosques, 3 fountains, 4 baths, 4 madrasahs, 12 tombs and 49 zawiya structures belonging to the 13th and 14th centuries were identified in the mentioned cities. These structures were examined within the catalog created in terms of topography, construction date and inscription information, patronage, foundation income, architectural design and decoration programs.