Caravanserais were roadside inns that were built along the Silk Road in areas including China, North Africa and the Middle East.

They were typically located outside the walls of a city or village and were usually funded by local governments or privately.

The word "caravanserai" is a combination of the Persian words "karvan", which means a group of travellers or a caravan, and "saray", a palace or enclosed building.

The term caravan was used to describe groups of people who travelled together across the ancient network for safety reasons, such as merchants, travellers or pilgrims.

From the 10th century onwards, as merchant and travel routes became more developed, the construction of caravanserais increased and they served as a safe place for people to rest at night.

Travellers on the Silk Road faced the possibility of being attacked by thieves or being subject to extreme weather conditions.

For this reason, caravanserais were strategically placed so that they could be reached in a day's travel time.

Caravanserais served as an informal meeting point for the various people who travelled the Silk Road.

As a result, these structures became important centres for cultural exchange and interaction with travellers sharing their cultures, ideas and beliefs, as well as taking knowledge with them, greatly influencing the development of several civilisations.

Caravanserais were also an important marketplace for commodities and aided in the trade of goods along the Silk Road.