Bahamani Empire [1347-1527]
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- In the 14th century, along with Vijayanagar kingdom, another powerful kingdom arose in South India, which was the Bahmani Sultanate.
- The Bahmani Sultanate was a Persianised Muslim state of the Deccan in South India and one of the major medieval Indian kingdoms.
- Though the region was ruled by a Muslim it was not an exclusive 'Muslim State'. Hindus were also part of it as well.
- In the early 14th century, the Deccan and South India were partitioned into four kingdoms:
- Yadavas of Devagiri (Western Deccan or present Maharashtra)
- Hoysalas of Dvarasamudra (Karnataka)
- Kakatiyas of Warangal (eastern part of present-day Telangana)
- Pandayas of Madurai (southern Tamil Nadu)
- In order to establish a stable administration in Deccan, Mohammad bin Tughlaq appointed Amiran-i-sada, also known as Sada Amir (administrative heads of hundred villages).
- The conflict between the officers in Deccan and Delhi Sultanate, accelerated which ultimately resulted in the establishment of an independent state in the Deccan in 1347 CE
Region: The Kingdom stretched from north to south from the Wainganga river to Krishna and east to west from Bhongir to Daulatabad.
Capital at Gulbarga in Andhra Pradesh.
Founder: Hasan Gangu, assumed the title Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah.
Bahmani Empire reached its zenith during the time of Mahmud Gawan who was a minister of the Empire.
Last ruler: Kalimullah was the last king of the Bahmani dynasty.
Famous Rulers
Alauddin hasan Bahman Shah(1347-58)
Also known as Hasan Gangu, founded Bahamani kingdom
Tajuddin Firoz Shah (1397-1422)
- He started the Bahmani expansion towards Berar
- He was well acquainted with the religious sciences (commentaries on the Quran, jurisprudence) and natural sciences too (such as botany, geometry, logic, etc.).
- He encouraged the pursuit of astronomy and built an observatory near Daultabad.
- Inducted a large number of Hindus in his administration.
Ahmad Shah Wali (1422-35)
- His association with the famous Sufi saint Gesu Daraz
- He shifted the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar
Mahmud Gawan (1461–1481)
- He was a Persian merchant.
- He was granted the title of Malik-ul-Tujjar, i.e., ‗Chief of the Merchants‘ by Humayun Shah.
- He divided the kingdom into eight tarafs or provinces, each governed by a tarafdar
- Curtailed power of Tarafdars in order to strengthen the central government.
- The salary was paid in cash or by assigning a Jagir.
- A tract of land called Khalisa was set apart for expenses of Sultan.
- Introduced use of Gunpowder in war against Vijayanagar Kings.
- He was a great patron of arts and made endowments to build a college at Bidar which was built in Persian style of architecture.
- Executed in 1481 by Muhammad Shah, Deccan nobles plotted against him.
- After Gawan‘s execution, Bahmani kingdom began to disintegrate and the provincial governors declared their independence.
Bahmani kingdom disintegration
- Nizam Shahis of Ahmadnagar
- Adil Shahis of Bijapur
- Qutub Shahis of Golconda
- Imad Shahis of Berar
- Barid Shahis of Bidar