Appendix One. Survey of endowment deeds from the Timurid period

Abstract

This chapter discusses the endowment deeds of the Timurid period, and focuses on six deeds relating to Khorasan and eight of Transoxiana. In the first endowment deed (vaqfiyya) of the Khorasan that is mentioned in the chapter, the endowed properties consisted of several agricultural estates in the Herat region, a village just outside the city of Herat, a meeting house, library, meditation cells, madrasa, and mosque, as well as mills. In another vaqfiyya, the endowed properties consisted of both commercial and agricultural properties and irrigation canals and water rights. In many cases, the individuals from whom the properties were purchased before conveyance to vaqf are mentioned. An endowment deed belonging to Transoxiana was long believed to be Temur's charter deed of endowment for the tomb shrine of the twelfth-century Sufi saint of Central Asia Khvāja Aḥmad Yasavῑ.Keywords: endowment deeds; Khorasan; Temur's charter deed; Timurid period; Transoxiana; vaqfiyya