Kastamonu foundations (13th-16th century)

In this study, which deals with the foundations established in Kastamonu, one of the most ancient cities of Anatolia, from the Beyliks to the Ottoman period, evkaf, icmal and mufassal tahrir books dated for the XVth and XVIth centuries, as well as waqfiyas and other archival documents were used. Kastamonu is one of the cities where Turkish culture and history can be observed, as it witnessed the Turkification of Anatolia. Because a strong Turkish culture was embodied here during the Seljuks, principalities and Ottoman period. In an effort to reveal this culture, many academic and scientific studies on the city have been and are still being carried out. This study has emerged as a result of this endeavour. As it is known, one of the most important elements of urbanisation is foundations. Thanks to the foundations, this rich heritage of Turkish civilisation could be preserved for centuries and some services that were not performed by the dominant element were provided through various foundations. The mosques, masjids, dervish lodges, inns, baths, in short, all the services required in a civilised society were supported and protected by the foundation system. Kastamonu is one of the most important sanjaks in the Ottoman administrative system. Therefore, by continuing the legacy it inherited from the Seljuks and beyliks, it was instrumental in the establishment of many foundations serving many fields. In the context of the subject of this thesis, the foundations established by beys, ladies, statesmen, members of religion and judiciary, and even ordinary people are emphasised. It can be said that when the Turks first arrived in Kastamonu, foundations were generally established by the beys who dominated the region. It is understood that the foundations established by these beys and statesmen were large complexes or religious and educational institutions with rich revenues, both during the principalities and the Ottoman period. On the other hand, the foundations established by the reaya generally consisted of a certain amount of money, shops or pieces of land. In this respect, the most important part of this study is to determine how the foundation institution developed in the city, what these institutions were and who were the founders of the foundations who lived in Kastamonu.