Functions of ‘Madrasas’ in the Ottoman Period

In this study certain educational institutions such as madrassahs, kulliyes and mosques that contributed to environment in terms of education in the Ottoman period (middle of the fifteenth century-beginning of the nineteenth century)are researched with regards to educational system, curriculum, mudarrises, students and training. The functions and effects of the madrassahs at that time as well as their reflection in our time are dealt with. In this context, some educational institutions included by certain Anatolian madrassahs such as darulkurra, darulhadith, sahnıseman and schools, which are currently e xisted and not, have been taken in examination. Incorporating madrassahs, which are public instutions in the Ottoman period, in the state organisation has been started with the Fatih madrassahs that were established by Fatih (Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror) and structuring of madrassah order was quickened after the conquest. In time, the cities such as İstanbul (capital city), Ed irne, Bursa, İznik, Trab zon, Konya and Diyarbakır have had the most madrassahs. The large majority of madrassahs of Sinan the Architect have been built in Anatolia and in other cities of the Emp ire. The first Ottoman madrassah was established in İznik and has become widespread in time. In consequence of being institutions in which training was giving according to the curriculum and ratification of mudarris and having distinctive architectural characteristics in their cubicles, porches, classes, iwans and şadırvans gave rise to them having a respectable position in the society. It is commented that the madrassahs that are the symbol of classical Ottoman arcitecture have been retrograded later on. In the scope of madrassahs located in the Antalya region the importance and contribution of them, which have been improved as the reflection of the social changes and have been opened to changes with their internal/external dynamics, and their capability of being met the requirements of society have been examined and explained descriptively together with their contributions to educational mantality in our time.