[A short look on the protection of the disabled in Turkish history until the Republic of Turkey I].

This study deals with the care taken through Turkish history to protect and shelter the disabled orphans, widows, crippled and the aged, etc. In the Seljukian and Ottoman periods there were different foundations which shouldered the duty and functioned as almhouses. Some of these foundations had houses for sheltering the disabled and the homeless, according to those quoted in the trust of deeds. These institiutions were "Dār-al rahā" (almhouse); Tāb-khāne" and "Imāret" (almshouse and soup kitchen for the poor), "Caravanserai" (inns), "Musāfir-khāne" (public guest house for travelers); "Dār-al ziyāfe" (temporary boarding house and kitchen); "Dār-al shifā" (hospital) and "Tekye" or "Zāviye" (dervish lodges), etc. ...