Caravanserai - an ancient sentinel of trade routes and a silent witness to Azerbaijan's great past Excursion into History

The Great Silk Road is a grandiose trade route that connected the East and the West and gave rise to many unique cities, historical monuments, customs and even states. One of the important and integral monuments along this route were caravanserais.

As is known, the Great Silk Road passed through the territory of Azerbaijan, and the country was literally crossed in all directions by caravan routes. The main cities on this route were Baku, Ganja, Shamakhi, Barda, Gabala, Shabran, Nakhchivan and others. Carpets, saffron, oil, jewelry, musical instruments, weapons, etc. were taken from here. And it is not surprising that many caravanserais were built in Azerbaijan - inns, within the walls of which most trade transactions took place. Some of them have survived to this day.

A caravanserai is a public building found in the Near and Middle East and Central Asia, in cities, on roads and in uninhabited places, which served as a shelter and a stop for travelers, and as a rule - for trade caravans. In a caravanserai, a traveler could rest, water and feed his horse or camel, pray and spend the night.

According to one version, the origin of the word "caravan" is "karban", which means a group of travelers. Groups of people or traders met and formed a caravan together to protect themselves from bandit attacks. For this reason, local authorities built dwellings on the roads at more or less regular intervals, which formed a caravanserai. Under the Sassanids, much attention was paid to the construction of roads. This process was supported and continued by the Shirvanshahs. However, the golden age of caravanserai construction is the Safavid era.

Caravanserais were usually one-story, but there were also two-story ones. During the Middle Ages, caravanserais were built both in cities and on trade routes. A striking example of a roadside caravanserai is the Garachi or Miajik caravanserai. It is located in the Miajik area near the Sangachal settlement of the Garadagh district of Baku, between the Sangachal caravanserai and the Agargun caravanserai. The Miajik caravanserai dates back to the 15th century. Scientists assume that the caravanserai was built by order of Shirvanshah Khalil-ullah II, and believe that the choice of location for construction was not accidental - there was an ancient well with fresh water nearby, which still operates, providing travelers and animals with the necessary resource.

The Miajik caravanserai has a rectangular shape with an inner courtyard. The kinship of the style of the architectural appearance of the caravanserai with the monuments of the Shirvan-Absheron school is undeniable. This is confirmed by the similarity of the layout of the architectural masses, the proximity of laconic, but emphatically plastically interpreted architectural forms and the identity of the structures associated with them. Massive walls and fortified gates indicate its defensive significance in case of such a need. Despite the desolation, architectural elements have been preserved, which allows you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the past.

The caravanserai had rooms for guests, servants, and outbuildings. In the 19th century, the caravan route lost its commercial significance, and for this reason, the Miajik caravanserai fell into disrepair. According to one version, nomadic gypsies subsequently lived in the caravanserai, which is why the local population began to call the caravanserai "garachi".

From a distance, the caravanserai gives the impression of a majestic and monumental structure, harmoniously fitting into the surrounding landscape. Its massive walls and high arches rise above the surroundings, creating an impression of inaccessibility and grandeur. Coming closer, you can see the fine work of the masons, masterfully carved details that emphasize the elegance and sophistication of the architecture. The grandeur of the Miajik caravanserai is striking, recalling its historical significance and former grandeur, when it served as an important stop for travelers and traders on the Great Silk Road.

Another interesting fact is that there are many embossed and engraved tamgas on the walls of the caravanserai. Tamga is a family symbol of the Turkic peoples, a seal that was placed on family property. Tamga was often applied to cattle so that the herds would not mix. It was also used as an emblem or coat of arms. Tamga marked the boundaries of arable land, pastures, marked the most valuable personal items, gravestones, and coins. For a long time, tamga played the role of personal seals for many rulers. They were placed on rings and put on important documents and contracts. They were also applied to the walls of historical monuments. The Miajik caravanserai mainly features Tarak Tamga, Shamly, Alayondlu, Krymgerey and other tamgas.

Caravanserais, as historical sites in the territory of Azerbaijan, facilitated trade and gave impetus to the development of the region. They also played an important role in ensuring the safety of the caravans passing through here. The Miajik Caravanserai is an important architectural and historical monument, representing a unique example of the cultural heritage of Azerbaijan.

The Miajik Caravanserai is a silent witness of our great past. Today, this historical site needs careful restoration. It is very important to preserve this page of our history for future generations.

Vahid Shukurov, specially for Caliber.Az