Bahmani Kingdom, 1347–1527
Key Pointers
- Founded in 1347 by Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah (Zafar Khan) after revolting against Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Capital: Gulbarga (Ahsanabad), shifted to Bidar (c. 1424) under Ahmad Shah I.
- Firoz Shah Bahmani (1397–1422): Best-known ruler; promoted astronomy and learning; recruited Hindus into administration.
- Mahmud Gawan: Persian wazir of Muhammad Shah III. Reorganised the kingdom into eight provinces (tarafs); measured land; checked corruption and improved army discipline; built a famed madrasa at Bidar. Executed in 1481 due to noble factionalism.
- Faction fight: Dakhnis (old settlers) vs Afaqis/Pardesis (new arrivals) weakened the state.
- Disintegration (c. 1490–1527): Split into five Deccan Sultanates: Ahmadnagar (Nizam Shahi), Bijapur (Adil Shahi), Golconda (Qutb Shahi), Berar (Imad Shahi), Bidar (Barid Shahi).
- Conflict with Vijayanagara over the Raichur Doab and Krishna–Tungabhadra region.
- Architecture: Jama Masjid (Gulbarga), Madrasa of Mahmud Gawan (Bidar), Bidar fort. (Gol Gumbaz belongs to the Adil Shahis of Bijapur, not the Bahmanis.)
MCQs
Q1. Who founded the Bahmani Kingdom? (a) Mahmud Gawan (b) Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah (c) Firoz Shah Bahmani (d) Ahmad Shah I Answer: (b).
Q2. Which of the following was NOT a successor state of the Bahmani Kingdom? (a) Ahmadnagar (b) Bijapur (c) Golconda (d) Khandesh Answer: (d). Khandesh had become independent earlier, under the Farruqis.
Q3. Mahmud Gawan was a minister under: (a) Firoz Shah Bahmani (b) Muhammad Shah III (c) Ahmad Shah I (d) Alauddin Hasan Answer: (b).