BAHMANI KINGDOM (C.1347- 1525 CE): RISE, CONFLICT, AND POLITICAL HISTORY

THE BAHMANI KINGDOM (1347-1527 A.D.)

• Bahmani Kingdom was a Muslim state of the Deccan in Southern India during the medieval era in Indian History.
• The nobles of Bahmani kingdom were categorized in two categories: Afaquis and Deccanis. Deccanis were nobles of native origin while Afaquis had foreign origin.
• It was founded by Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah (in 1347), also known as Hasan Gangu, revolting against the Delhi Sultanate of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
• Gulbarga and in later time Bidar were capital of it.
• The Bahamani kingdom acted as a cultural link between the South & the North.
• The Kingdom stretched from north to south from the Wainganga river to Krishna and east to west from Bhongir to Daulatabad.
• There were a total of 14 Bahaman Sultans.
• The Bahmani Empire was always at war with Vijayanagara Empire for control over Deccan. Firoz Shah invaded Vijayanagar and defeated Krishna Deva Raya I.
• Ahmad Shah Wali later shifted Capital from Gulbarga to Bidar.
• Muhammad Shah III became the sultan at the age of 9 after the death of his brother Nizam Shah and Mahmud Gawan served as Prime Minister.
• Bahmani Empire reached its zenith during the time of Mahmud Gawan who was a minister of the Empire.
• Kalimullah was the last king of the Bahmani dynasty.

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BAHMANI KINGDOM POLITICAL HISTORY

Mahmud Gawan:

He was Iranian by birth and was a trader. He was granted the title of Malik-ul-Tujjar (Chiefs of Merchants) by Humayun Shah. For almost 20 years he dominated the state affairs of the Bahmani. Under his leadership Bahamani kingdom saw resurgence. He divided the kingdom into eight provinces called Tarafs. Each Taraf was governed by the Tarafdar. The salary was paid in cash or by assigning a Jagir. A tract of land called Khalisa was set apart for expenses of the Sultan. Introduced use of Gunpowder in war against Vijayanagar Kings. He built a college at Bidar in Persian Style architecture. Executed in 1481 by Muhammad Shah, Deccan nobles plotted against him.

After Gawan’s Execution, Bahmani kingdom disintegrated into Five Kingdoms:

• Bahmani kingdom disintegration
  • Nizam Shahis of Ahmadnagar
  • Adil Shahis of Bijapur
  • Qutub Shahis of Golconda
  • Imad Shahis of Berar
  • Barid Shahis of Bidar

Nizam Shahis of Ahmednagar (1490-1633 AD):	Founder – Ahmad Nizam Shah. It was conquered & annexed by Shah Jahan in 1633.
Adil Shahis of Bijapur (1490-1686 AD)	Founder – Yusuf Adil Shah. Gol Gumbaz was built by Muhammad Adil Shah. Bijapur was conquered & annexed by Aurangzeb in 1687.
Qutub Shahis of Golconda (1518- 1687 AD):	Founder – Muhammad Quli Qutub shah. He built the famous Golconda fort and made it capital. Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah founded the city Hyderabad (originally known as Bhagyanagar) and also built Charminar. It was annexed by Aurangzeb in 1687.
Imad Shahis of Berar (1490-1574 AD)	Founder – Fatullah khan Imad ul Mulk. Capital – Daulatabad Annexed by rulers of Ahmednagar.
Barid Shahis of Bidar (1528-1619 AD):	Founder – Ali Barid Annexed by Bijapur rulers.

ART & ARCHITECTURE OF BAHMANI KINGDOM:

• The architecture was highly influenced by Persian architecture. They invited architects from Persia, Turkey and Arabia.
• The Gulbarga fort & Jama Masjid in Gulbarga, Bidar Fort and Madrasa by Mahmud Gawan in Bidar, are the major architectural contributions.
• Gol Ghumaz was built by Muhammad Adil Shah; it is famous for so called “Whispering Gallery”
• Ibrahum Adil Shah introduced ‘Dakhini’ in place of Persian as a court language.