The role of endowment (waqf) and charity in facilitating travel in Iran during the Ilkhanate period

After the political concentration of Iran during the Ilkhanate period, trade flourished in the territory of Iran. For further prosperity and facilitation of trade, it was necessary to create travel infrastructures, amenities and roadside facilities. This research by a descriptive-analytical method aims to answer the question that what factors were effective in the growth of roadside facilities and increasing the comfort of travelers during the Ilkhanate period? The findings of the research indicate that the Ilkhanate by establishing sovereignty over their territory secured the roads. Also, they considered the infrastructure of roads with the participation of elders and court dependents and promoting charity and endowment (waqf). Therefore, charity played a significant role in the prosperity of these infrastructures. On the other hand, the crossing of the roads from the local governments’ political territory and the activity of the mystical ways along the roads led to the growth of the roadside facilities and the increase in travelers’ comfort during the Ilkhanate period.