Hubbry Logo
Bahmani KingdomBahmani KingdomMain
Open search
Bahmani Kingdom
Community hub
Bahmani Kingdom
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Bahmani Kingdom
Bahmani Kingdom
Bahmani Kingdom
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

The Bahmani Kingdom or the Bahmani Sultanate was a late medieval Persianate kingdom that ruled the Deccan plateau in India. The first independent Muslim sultanate of the Deccan,[7] the Bahmani Kingdom came to power in 1347 during the rebellion of Ismail Mukh against Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi. Ismail Mukh then abdicated in favour of Zafar Khan, who established the Bahmani Sultanate.

Key Information

The Bahmani Kingdom was perpetually at war with its neighbours, including its rival to the south, the Vijayanagara Empire, which outlasted the sultanate.[8] The Mahmud Gawan Madrasa was created by Mahmud Gawan, the vizier regent who was prime minister of the sultanate from 1466 until his execution in 1481 during a conflict between the foreign (Afaqis) and local (Deccanis) nobility. Bidar Fort was built by Ahmad Shah I (r. 1422–36), who relocated the capital to the city of Bidar. Ahmad Shah led campaigns against Vijayanagara and the sultanates of Malwa and Gujarat. His campaign against Vijayanagara in 1423 included a siege of the capital, ending in the expansion of the Sultanate. Mahmud Gawan would later lead campaigns against Malwa, Vijayanagara, and the Gajapatis, and extended the sultanate to its maximum extent.

The sultanate began to decline under Mahmood Shah. Through a combination of factional strife and the revolt of five provincial governors (tarafdars), the Bahmani Sultanate split up into five states, known as the Deccan sultanates. The initial revolts of Yusuf Adil Shah, Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah I, and Fathullah Imad-ul-Mulk in 1490 and Qasim Barid I in 1492 saw the end of any real Bahmani power, and the last independent sultanate, Golkonda, in 1518, ended the Bahmanis' 180-year rule over the Deccan. The last four Bahmani rulers were puppet monarchs under Amir Barid I of the Bidar Sultanate, and the kingdom formally dissolved in 1527.[9][10]

Origin

[edit]
See also: Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah

Abd-al-Malek Esami, a contemporary historian of the time, states that Bahman Shah was born in Ghazni, Afghanistan.[11] He was either of Afghan or Turk origin.[12][13][14] Encyclopedia Iranica states him to be a Khorasani adventurer, who claimed descent from Bahram Gur.[15] Ferishta mentions that later poets "who wanted to flatter him" called Bahman Shah a descendant of Bahram Gur, but considers it implausible.[16] Andre Wink, known for his studies on India, stated that he was an Afghan.[17] According to the medieval historian Ferishta, his obscurity makes it difficult to track his origin, but he is nonetheless stated as of Afghan birth.[18]

History

[edit]

Ziauddin Barani, the court chronicler of Sultan Firuz Shah, states that Hasan Gangu, the Bahmani Sultanate's founder, was "born in very humble circumstances" and that "For the first thirty years of his life he was nothing more than a field laborer."[19] He was made a commander of a hundred horsemen by the Delhi Sultan, Muhammad bin Tughluq, who was pleased with his honesty. This sudden rise in the military and socio-economic ladder was common in this era of Muslim India.[20] Zafar Khan or Hasan Gangu was among the inhabitants of Delhi who were forced to migrate to the Deccan, to build a large Muslim settlement in the region of Daulatabad.[21] Zafar Khan was a man of ambition and looked forward to the adventure. He had long hoped to employ his body of horsemen in the Deccan as the region was seen as the place of bounty in Muslim imagination at the time. He was rewarded with an Iqta for taking part in the conquest of Kampili.[22]

Rise

[edit]
Main article: Rebellion of Ismail Mukh
class=notpageimage|
The Bahmani Sultanate and main South Asian polities in 1400 CE[23]

Before the establishment of his kingdom, Hasan Gangu (Zafar Khan) was Governor of Deccan and a commander on behalf of the Tughlaqs. On 3 August 1347, during the rebellion by the Amirs of the Deccan, Ismail Mukh, the leader of the rebellion (whom the rebel amirs of the Deccan placed on the throne of Daulatabad in 1345), abdicated in favor of Zafar Khan, resulting in the establishment of the Bahmani Kingdom. The Sultan of Delhi had besieged the rebels at the citadel of Daulatabad. As another rebellion had begun in Gujarat, the Sultan left and installed Shaikh Burhan-ud-din Bilgrami and Malik Jauhar and other nobles in charge of the siege. Meanwhile, as these nobles were unable to stop the Deccani amirs from pursuing the imperial army, Hasan Gangu, a native of Delhi, then being pursued by Governor of Berar Imad-ul-Mulk, the leader to whom the Deccani Amirs had re-assembled against, attacked and slew the latter and marched on towards Daulatabad. Here Hasan Gangu and the Deccani amirs put to flight the imperial forces which had been left to besiege. The rebels at Daulatabad had the sense to see Hasan Gangu as the man of the hour, and the proposal to crown Hasan Gangu, entitled Zafar Khan, was accepted without a dissentient voice on 3 August 1347.[24][25][26][27][28] His revolt was successful, and he established an independent state on the Deccan within the Delhi Sultanate's southern provinces with its headquarters at Hasanabad (Gulbarga), where all his coins were minted.[24][29]

With the support of the influential Indian Chishti Sufi Shaikhs, he was crowned "Alauddin Bahman Shah Sultan – Founder of the Bahmani Dynasty".[30] They bestowed upon him a robe allegedly worn by the prophet Muhammad. The extension of the Sufi's notion of spiritual sovereignty lent legitimacy to the planting of the sultanate's political authority, where the land, people, and produce of the Deccan were merited state protection, no longer available for plunder with impunity. These Sufis legitimized the transplantation of Indo-Muslim rulership from one region in South Asia to another, converting the land of the Bahmanids into being recognized as Dar ul-Islam, while it was previously considered Dar ul-Harb.[31]

Turkish or Indo-Turkish troops, explorers, saints, and scholars moved from Delhi and North India to the Deccan with the establishment of the Bahmanid sultanate. How many of these were Shi'ites is unclear. Nonetheless, there is enough evidence to demonstrate that a number of nobility at the Bahmani court identified as Shi'ites or had significant Shi'ite inclinations.[a][4]

Succeeding rulers (1358–1422)

[edit]

Alauddin was succeeded by his son Mohammed Shah I.[33] His conflicts with the Vijayanagar empire were singularly savage wars, as according to the historian Ferishta, "the population of the Carnatic was so reduced that it did not recover for several ages."[34] The Bahmanids' aggressive confrontation with the two main Hindu kingdoms of the southern Deccan, Warangal and Vijayanagara in the First Bahmani–Vijayanagar War, made them renowned among Muslims as warriors of the faith.[35]

The Vijayanagara empire and the Bahmanids fought over the control of the Godavari-basin, Tungabadhra Doab, and the Marathwada country, although they seldom required a pretext for declaring war,[36] as military conflicts were almost a regular feature and lasted as long as these kingdoms continued.[37] Military slavery involved captured slaves from Vijayanagara whom were then converted to Islam and integrated into the host society, so they could begin military careers within the Bahmanid empire.[38][39] Mohammad Shah II's reign was noted for its peace and lack of foreign wars.[40] Strong measures of civil and military organizations were set up by Mohammad Shah I, but they developed only during Mohammad Shah II's rule.[41]

Ghiyasuddin succeeded his father Muhammad II at the age of seventeen in April 1397, but was blinded and imprisoned by a Turkic slave called Taghalchin,[40][42] who had held a grudge on the Sultan for the latter's refusal to appoint him as a governor. He had lured the Sultan into putting himself in the former's power, using the beauty of his daughter, who was accomplished in music and arts, and had introduced her to the Sultan at a feast.[43][44] He was succeeded by Shamsuddin, who was a puppet king under Taghalchin. Firuz and Ahmed, the sons of the fourth sultan Daud, marched to Gulbarga to avenge Ghiyasuddin. Firuz declared himself the sultan, and defeated Taghalchin's forces. Taghalchin was killed and Shamsuddin was blinded.[45]

Taj ud-Din Firuz Shah became the sultan in November 1397.[46] Firuz Shah fought against the Vijayanagara Empire on many occasions and the rivalry between the two dynasties continued unabated throughout his reign, with victories in 1398 and in 1406, but a defeat in 1417. One of his victories resulted in his marriage to the daughter of Deva Raya, the Vijayanagara Emperor.[47]

Firuz Shah expanded the nobility by enabling Hindus and granting them high office.[48] In his reign, Sufis such as Gesudaraz, a Chishti saint who had immigrated from Dehli to Daulatabad, were prominent in court and daily life.[49] He was the first author to write in the Dakhni dialect of Urdu.[50] The Dakhni language became widespread, practised by various milieus from the court to the Sufis. It was established as a lingua franca of the Muslims of the Deccan, as not only the aspect of a dominant urban elite, but an expression of the regional religious identity.[51]

Later rulers (1422–1482)

[edit]

Firuz Shah was succeeded by his younger brother Ahmad Shah I Wali. Following the establishment of Bidar as capital of the sultanate in 1429,[52] Ahmad Shah I converted to Shi'ism.[4] Ahmad Shah's reign was marked by relentless military campaigns and expansionism. He imposed destruction and slaughter on Vijayanagara and finally captured the remnants of Warangal.[53]

Chand Minar at Daulatabad fort complex

Alauddin Ahmad II succeeded his father to the throne in 1436.[54] The Chand Minar, a minaret in Daulatabad, was constructed under his reign, and was commemorated in his honour[55] in 1445[56] for his victory against Deva Raya II of Vijayanagara in 1443,[55] the last major conflict between the two powers.[57] For the first half-century after the establishment of the Bahmanids, the original North Indian colonists and their sons had administered the empire quite independent of either the non-Muslim Hindus, or the Muslim foreign immigrants. However, the later Bahmani Sultans, mainly starting from his father Ahmad Shah Wali I, began to recruit foreigners from overseas, whether because of depletion among the ranks of the original settlers, or the feelings of dependency upon the Persian courtly model, or both.[58] This resulted in factional strife that first became acute in the reign of his son Alauddin Ahmad Shah II.[59] In 1446, the powerful Dakhani nobles persuaded the Sultan that the Persians were responsible for the failure of the earlier invasion of the Konkan.[60]

The Sultan, drunk, condoned a large-scale massacre of Persian Shi'a Sayyids by the Sunni Dakhani nobles and their Sunni Abyssinian slaves.[61] A few survivors escaped the massacre dressed in women's clothing and convinced the Sultan of their innocence.[62] Ashamed of his own folly, the Sultan punished the Dakhani leaders who were responsible for the massacre, putting them to death or throwing them in prison, and reduced their families to beggary.[63] The accounts of the violent events likely included exaggerations as it came from the pen of the chroniclers who were themselves mainly foreigners and products of Safavid Persia.[64]

Mahmud Gawan Madrasa, built by Mahmud Gawan to be the centre of religious as well as secular education[65]

The eldest sons of Humayun Shah, Nizam-Ud-Din Ahmad III and Muhammad Shah III Lashkari ascended the throne successively, while they were young boys. The vizier Mahmud Gawan ruled as regent during this period, until Muhammad Shah reached age. Mahmud Gawan is known for setting up the Mahmud Gawan Madrasa, a center of religious as well as secular education,[65] as well as achieving the sultanate's greatest extent during his rule.[2] He also increased the administrative divisions of the sultanate from four to eight to ease the administrative burden from previous expansion of the state. Gawan was considered a great statesman, and a poet of repute.[66]

Mahmud Gawan was caught in a struggle between a rivalry between two groups of nobles, the Dakhanis and the Afaqis. The Dakhanis made up the indigenous Muslim elite of the Bahmanid dynasty, being descendants of Sunni immigrants from Northern India, while the Afaqis were foreign newcomers from the west such as Gawan, who were mostly Shi'is.[67][68] The Dakhanis believed that the privileges, patronage and positions of power in the sultanate should have been reserved solely for them.[69]

The divisions included sectarian religious divisions where the Afaqis were looked upon as heretics by the Sunnis as the former were Shi'as.[70] Eaton cites a linguistic divide where the Dakhanis spoke Dakhni while the Afaqis favored the Persian language.[71] Mahmud Gawan had tried to reconcile with the two factions over his fifteen-year prime ministership, but had found it difficult to win their confidence; the party strife could not be stopped.[2] His Afaqis opponents, led by Nizam-ul-Mulk Bahri and motivated by anger over Mahmud's reforms which had curtailed the nobility's power, fabricated a treasonous letter to Purushottama Deva of Orissa which they purported to be from him.[72][73] Mahmud Gawan was ordered executed by Muhammad Shah III, an act that the latter regretted until his death in 1482.[66] Upon his death, Nizam-ul-Mulk Bahri, the father of the founder of the Nizam Shahi dynasty became the regent of the Sultan as prime minister.[74][75]

Decline

[edit]

Muhammad Shah III Lashkari was succeeded by his son Mahmood Shah Bahmani II, the last Bahmani ruler to have real power.[76] The tarafdars of Ahmednagar, Bijapur, and Berar, Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah I, Yusuf Adil Shah, and Fathullah Imad-ul-Mulk agreed to assert their independence in 1490, and established their own sultanates but maintained loyalty to the Bahmani Sultan. The sultanates of Golconda and Bidar would become in practice independent as well.[9] In 1501, Mahmood Shah Bahmani united his amirs and wazirs in an agreement to wage annual Jihad against Vijayanagara. The expeditions were financially ruinous.[77]

The last Bahmani Sultans were puppet monarchs under their Barid Shahi prime ministers, who were the de facto rulers. After 1518 the sultanate formally broke up into the five states of Ahmednagar, Berar, Bidar, Bijapur, and Golconda. They are collectively known as the Deccan sultanates.[9]

Historiography

[edit]

Modern scholars like Haroon Khan Sherwani and Richard M. Eaton have based their accounts of the Bahmani dynasty mainly upon the medieval chronicles of Firishta and Syed Ali Tabatabai.[78][79] Other contemporary works were the Sivatattva Chintamani, a Kannada language encyclopedia on the beliefs and rites of the Veerashaiva faith, and Guru Charitra. Afanasy Nikitin, a Russian merchant and traveler, traveled through the Bahmani Sultanate in his journeys. He contrasts the huge "wealth of the nobility with the wretchedness of the peasantry and the frugality of the Hindus".[80]

Culture

[edit]
Taj ud-Din Firuz Shah of the Bahmani Sultanate's Firman

The Bahmani dynasty patronized Indo-Muslim and Persian culture from Northern India and the Middle East.[81] However, the society of the Bahmnanis was dominated prominently by Iranians, Afghans, and Turks.[82] They also had considerable and social influence such as with the celebration of Nowruz by Bahmani rulers.[82] This also comes as Mohammed Shah I ascended the throne on Nowruz.[83] According to Khafi Khan and Ferishta, musicians flocked to the court from Lahore, Delhi, Persia and Khorasan.[84]

The Bahmani Sultans were patrons of the Persian language, culture and literature, and some members of the dynasty became well-versed in the language and composed its literature in the language.[7]

The first sultan, Alauddin Bahman Shah, is noted to have captured 1,000 singing and dancing girls from Hindu temples after he battled the northern Carnatic chieftains. The later Bahmanis also enslaved civilian women and children in wars; many of them were converted to Islam in captivity.[85][86]

Bidriware

[edit]
Main article: Bidriware

Bidriware is a metal handicraft from the city of Bidar in Karnataka. It was developed in the 14th century during the rule of the Bahmani Sultans.[87] The term "bidriware" originates from the township of Bidar, which is still the chief center of production.[88] The craftspersons of Bidar were so famed for their inlay work on copper and silver that it came to be known as Bidri.[87] The metal used is white brass that is blackened and inlaid with silver.[88] As a native art form, Bidriware obtained a geographical Indications (GI) registry on 3 January 2006.[89]

Architecture

[edit]
Gateway to Bidar Fort

The Bahmani Sultans patronized many architectural works, although many have since been destroyed.[90] The Gulbarga Fort, Haft Gumbaz, and Jama Masjid in Gulbarga, the Bidar Fort and Madrasa Mahmud Gawan in Bidar, and the Chand Minar in Daulatabad are some of their major architectural contributions.[65]

The later Sultans were buried in a necropolis known as the Bahmani Tombs. The exterior of one of the tombs is decorated with coloured tiles. Arabic, Persian and Urdu inscriptions are inscribed inside the tombs.[91][92]

The Bahmani Sultans built many mosques, tombs, and madrasas in Bidar and Gulbarga, the two capitals. They also built many forts in Daulatabad, Golconda and Raichur. The architecture was highly influenced by Persian architecture, as they invited architects from Persia, Turkey and Arabia. The Persianate Indo-Islamic style of architecture developed during this period was later adopted by the Deccan sultanates as well.[93][90] A Sasanian insignia in the shape of two open wings adorned by a crescent and occasionally a circle is a design found on several early Bahmani constructions in Gulbarga, likely to bolster their claims of Sasanian lineage.[94]

Turquoise Throne

[edit]
Main article: Takht-i-Firoza

The Turquoise Throne was a jeweled royal throne mentioned by Firishta. It was the seat of the sultans of the Bahmani Sultanate since Mohammed Shah I (r. 1358–1375). It was a gift of Musunuri Kapaya Nayaka, a Telugu King in post-Kakateeya era.[95] It was mentioned by Firishta that on 23 March 1363,[b] this throne replaced an earlier silver throne that the first Bahmani sultan Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah used.

Gunpowder weapons

[edit]
See also: History of the firearm § South Asia

The Bahmani Sultanate was likely the first state to invent and utilize gunpowder artillery and firearms within the Indian Subcontinent. Their firearms were the most advanced of their time, surpassing even those of the Yuan Dynasty and the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt. The first recorded use of firearms in South Asia was at the Battle of Adoni in 1368, where the Bahmani Sultanate led by Mohammed Shah I used a train of artillery against the Vijayanagara Empire who was led by Harihara II.[97][98] Following the initial use of gunpowder weapons in 1368, they became the backbone of the Bahmani army.[99]

The scholar Iqtidar Alam Khan claims, however, that based on a differing translation of a passage of medieval historian Firishta's text Tarikh-i Firishta, in which he describes early use of gunpowder weapons in the Indian Subcontinent, it can be inferred that both the Delhi Sultanate and non-Muslim Indian states had the gunpowder weapons that the Bahmani Sultanate began to use in 1368, and that the Bahmanis had acquired the weapons from the Delhi Sultanate.[100] Contemporary evidence shows the presence of gunpowder for pyrotechnic uses in the Delhi Sultanate,[101] and Alam Khan states that their usage in the Battle of Adoni in 1368 was rather the first military usage of gunpowder-derived objects in the Subcontinent.[102] According to Klaus Rötzer, these early pyrotechnic weapons were used primarily to frighten enemy cavalry and elephants.[103]

The Bahmani Sultanate used cannons while besieging the Fort of Machal in 1470[104] or January 1471.[105] This was the first known use of gunpowder in siege weaponry on the Deccan Plateau.[105]

List of Bahmani rulers

[edit]
Main article: List of Bahmani rulers
Titular Name Personal Name Reign
Independence from Sultan of Delhi, Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Shah Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah I 3 August 1347 – 11 February 1358
Shah Mohammad Shah I 11 February 1358 – 21 April 1375
Shah Ala-ud-Din Mujahid Shah Mujahid Shah 21 April 1375 – 16 April 1378
Shah Daud Shah Bahmani 16 April 1378 – 21 May 1378
Shah Mohammad Shah II 21 May 1378 – 20 April 1397
Shah Ghiyath-ad-din Shah 20 April 1397 – 14 June 1397
Shah Shams-ud-Din Shah
Puppet King Under Lachin Khan Turk 		14 June 1397 – 15 November 1397
Shah Taj-ud-Din Feroze Shah
 Feroze Shah 24 November 1397 – 1 October 1422
Shah Ahmed Shah Wali Bahmani 1 October 1422 – 17 April 1436
Shah Ala-ud-Din Ahmed Shah Ala-ud-Din II Ahmed Shah Bahmani 17 April 1436 – 6 May 1458
Shah Ala-ud-Din Humayun Shah Humayun Shah Zalim Bahmani 7 May 1458 – 4 September 1461
Shah Nizam Shah Bahmani 4 September 1461 – 30 July 1463
Shah Muhammad Shah Lashkari Muhammad Shah Bahmani III 30 July 1463 – 26 March 1482
Vira Shah Mahmood Shah Bahmani II
Puppet under Malik Naib, Qasim Barid I, and Amir Barid I 		26 March 1482 – 27 December 1518
Shah Ahmed Shah Bahmani III
Puppet King Under Amir Barid I 		27 December 1518 – 15 December 1520
Shah Ala-ud-Din Shah Bahmani II
Puppet King Under Amir Barid I 		28 December 1520 – 5 March 1522
Shah Waliullah Shah Bahmani
Puppet King Under Amir Barid I 		5 March 1522 – 1526
Shah Kaleemullah Shah Bahmani
Puppet King Under Amir Barid I 		1525–1527
Dissolution of the sultanate into five kingdoms — Bidar, Ahmednagar, Bijapur, Golconda, and Berar

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Bahmani Kingdom

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Bahmani Sultanate, also known as the Bahmani Kingdom, was a Muslim monarchy that governed the in southern India from its establishment in 1347 until its dissolution in 1527. Founded by (originally Hasan Gangu), a former servant and officer in the who rebelled against , the kingdom emerged as the first independent Muslim state in the Deccan following the decline of Tughlaq authority. Spanning nearly two centuries, the Bahmani rulers—beginning with and continuing through successors like , , and later figures such as —expanded the realm northward to the and southward against Hindu kingdoms, notably engaging in protracted conflicts with the over fertile territories like . The sultanate's administration blended Persian administrative practices with local elements, fostering a multi-ethnic nobility that included Turks, Persians, Arabs, and Indian Muslims, though internal factionalism among these groups contributed to its weakening by the late 15th century. Major events included military campaigns for consolidation under early rulers and cultural patronage under figures like Firoz Shah, who built key fortifications and mosques. The kingdom's cultural legacy emphasized , with influences evident in architecture—such as vaulted domes, glazed tiles, and inspired by —seen in structures like the Jami Masjid of Gulbarga and at . Literature flourished under royal patronage, promoting , historical chronicles like those by , and the evolution of as a vernacular fusion of Persian, Arabic, and local tongues. By the early 16th century, provincial governors asserted independence, leading to the sultanate's fragmentation into five successor states—, , Bidar, , and —marking the end of centralized Bahmani rule around 1527.

History

Foundation

The Bahmani Kingdom emerged from a rebellion orchestrated by , originally known as Hasan Gangu, against of the . This uprising was fueled by widespread regional discontent in the , stemming from the sultanate's administrative neglect, overextension, and harsh policies that alienated local populations and Muslim nobles alike. On August 3, 1347, proclaimed his independence at , marking the formal establishment of the kingdom and severing ties with Delhi. This act capitalized on the weakening grip of the over distant provinces, enabling the creation of an autonomous Muslim state in the . In the immediate aftermath, focused on consolidating power by securing control over and capturing the strategic fortress of , which he designated as the new capital. He further strengthened his hold by subduing territories from local Hindu rulers, including early campaigns that compelled submissions and fortified borders against potential threats.

Expansion and Major Conflicts

The Bahmani Kingdom pursued territorial expansion through military campaigns shortly after its establishment, targeting key regions in the and beyond. One early victory was the campaign against in 1350, where forces compelled the local ruler to cede the fortress of Kaulas, securing eastern footholds. Further advances included annexations in after defeating regional Gond rulers, extending control into the eastern Deccan. The kingdom's most persistent conflicts were with the , centered on disputed fertile territories like the and Krishna-Godavari delta, with at least ten major wars fought between 1350 and 1500 primarily over the . These engagements involved repeated invasions and counterattacks, yielding mixed results that strained resources but solidified Bahmani presence in contested borderlands. Campaigns against the brought setbacks, including retaliatory incursions following Gajapati advances, as seen in clashes around in 1460 where Bahmani forces faced routs by Odia armies. Strategic pushes into the , such as the 1365 invasion to wrest control from influences, highlighted adaptations to terrain through integrated cavalry, elephant corps, and early use of gunpowder artillery for sieges and field battles.

Rulers and Key Reigns

(r. 1347–1358) founded the sultanate after rebelling against the and worked to consolidate authority by centralizing the court and integrating local nobles. His reign focused on establishing administrative stability in the , laying the groundwork for subsequent rulers through the appointment of loyal governors. Muhammad Shah I (r. 1358–1375) succeeded his father and strengthened internal governance by resolving early succession challenges and promoting unity among diverse noble factions. His efforts included curbing revolts from provincial lords, which helped stabilize the court structure. Short-lived reigns followed, including Ala-ud-Din Mujahid Shah (r. 1375–1378) and , marked by quick succession disputes that highlighted vulnerabilities in the royal line. Muhammad Shah II (r. 1378–1397) navigated factional tensions between Deccani (Dakhni) and foreign (Afaqi) nobles, implementing policies to balance power and prevent internal fragmentation. These disputes often escalated into noble revolts, which he suppressed to maintain central control. (r. 1397–1422), one of the most notable rulers, centralized the administration further by reforming the nobility system and mediating between Deccani and foreign factions to ensure court cohesion. His reign saw efforts to integrate local elites, reducing the influence of foreign-born advisors amid ongoing rivalries. (r. 1422–1436) faced intensified factionalism, with Deccani nobles challenging Afaqi dominance, leading to revolts that he addressed through targeted appointments and alliances. Ala-ud-Din Ahmad Shah II (r. 1436–1458) continued managing internal divisions, though succession after his death sparked further disputes among nobles. (r. 1458–1461) briefly ruled amid persistent factional strife, focusing on court reforms before his early death. Muhammad Shah III (r. 1461–1482) ascended young, with regent centralizing power by curbing noble excesses and executing disloyal Afaqis, exacerbating -foreign rivalries. Gawan's influence helped stabilize the administration until his execution in 1481, which intensified factionalism. Subsequent rulers like grappled with weakened authority due to noble revolts and succession battles, marking the last effective phase before puppet sultans emerged. By the early 16th century, sultans held nominal power amid dominant ministerial factions.

Decline and Fragmentation

The Bahmani Sultanate's decline accelerated in the late 15th and early 16th centuries due to chronic internal factionalism between the Afaqi (foreign-origin) nobles, who held privileged positions, and the (local-born) elites, who resented their dominance and vied for greater influence, leading to persistent power struggles that eroded central authority. Succession crises among weak later rulers further exacerbated this division, as puppet kings were manipulated by rival noble factions, diminishing the sultan's effective control over provinces. Provincial governors, empowered by these fissures, increasingly asserted autonomy, particularly after the execution of key ministers like in 1481, which unleashed unchecked ambition among regional lords who prioritized personal domains over loyalty to or . By the early 16th century, economic strains from prolonged wars with and other neighbors compounded noble rivalries, draining resources and fostering rebellions that fragmented administrative cohesion. The kingdom's dissolution culminated around 1527, when powerful governors formally declared independence, splintering the Bahmani realm into five successor : , Berar, , , and , each ruled by former provincial elites who established their own dynasties. This marked the end of unified Bahmani rule, as the nominal sultanate lingered only as a shadow under Bidar's control before fading entirely.

Government and Administration

Political Structure

The Bahmani Sultanate operated as a centralized monarchy under the absolute rule of the , who served as the supreme authority in both secular and religious matters, drawing on . The sultan was supported by a council of key ministers, including the who managed finances and revenue, and the sadr who oversaw religious endowments and . This administrative hierarchy reflected , with the wakil acting as prime minister to coordinate executive functions. The kingdom was divided into provinces known as tarafs, each administered by a tarafdar or noble governor appointed by the to maintain central control while delegating local authority. These governors balanced power between indigenous elites and immigrant Persian and Turkic nobles, fostering a feudal structure that integrated diverse aristocratic factions into the polity. This system helped stabilize rule amid ethnic tensions but also sowed seeds for later fragmentation. The legal framework primarily followed Sharia law, enforced through a judiciary headed by the qazi-i-mumalik as chief justice, with provincial qazis handling disputes at local levels. While Sharia governed Muslim affairs, the system incorporated local Hindu customs for non-Muslims, allowing qazis and village officials to adjudicate mixed cases pragmatically. This blend ensured broader applicability across the diverse population without fully supplanting indigenous practices.

Military Organization

The Bahmani military emphasized a cavalry-heavy structure, integrating traditional mounted units with infantry, , and emerging artillery to adapt to terrain and warfare demands. This composition allowed for mobile strikes and siege capabilities, with artillery divisions enhancing firepower against fortified opponents. Fortification strategies focused on robust defenses for key strongholds, compensating for the lack of natural barriers at sites like through engineered features such as the . , relocated as capital in 1427, featured advanced designs including to bolster strategic resilience amid ongoing conflicts.

Economy and Society

Economic Foundations

The Bahmani Kingdom's economy rested on a strong agrarian foundation, with agriculture serving as the primary source of revenue. The 's fertile black soil, known as regur, was particularly suited for cultivating crops like cotton, alongside staples such as millets, which sustained both local consumption and export demands. Irrigation systems, including numerous constructed and maintained by the state, enhanced productivity in this semi-arid region, mitigating the challenges of irregular rainfall. Land revenue collection formed the cornerstone of fiscal policy, predominantly managed through the inherited and adapted from the . Under this framework, iqtas—land grants—were assigned to nobles, military commanders, and officials in lieu of salaries, obligating them to collect taxes from assigned territories while maintaining troops for the sultan. This system ensured steady inflows to the treasury, though it sometimes led to inefficiencies due to hereditary claims by assignees. Commerce supplemented agrarian income through vibrant trade networks, with inland hubs like Gulbarga facilitating the movement of goods and coastal ports enabling maritime exchanges. Key exports included cotton textiles and spices such as black pepper, shipped to markets in the and , fostering economic ties with Arab and Southeast Asian traders. To bolster economic stability amid frequent wars, rulers implemented currency and taxation reforms; for instance, sultans like those during the reign influenced by Mahmud Gawan oversaw land surveys for equitable assessment and minted coins to standardize transactions and fund military campaigns.

Social Composition

The Bahmani Kingdom featured a multi-ethnic society where elites, primarily of , Turkic, and descent, occupied key administrative and noble positions, ruling over a Hindu majority comprising peasants, artisans, and local landowners. , including the Chishti silsila, contributed to social cohesion by fostering inter-community tolerance and encouraging conversions, with figures like Gesu Daraz exemplifying efforts to harmonize Muslim rulers and Hindu subjects. Urban guilds structured artisan communities across diverse ethnic groups, while rural , often Hindu, managed agrarian hierarchies under elite oversight. Women, particularly among the elite, were largely restricted from public roles and confined to , from where they indirectly shaped courtly culture through and influence.

Culture and Achievements

Persianate Influences

The Bahmani rulers actively encouraged the immigration of Persian scholars, poets, jurists, theologians, and Sufis to the , dispatching ships to Iran and to attract these migrants, who assembled in large numbers at the capital and shaped court etiquette and bureaucratic norms. These Persian immigrants, often forming a distinct administrative elite, introduced refined protocols and organizational practices inherited from earlier , while their arrival fostered complex amid the sultanate's predominantly Sunni framework, as many newcomers brought inclinations from -influenced regions. This influx contributed to an Indo-Islamic synthesis evident in adapted festivals blending Nowruz with local celebrations, fusion cuisines incorporating Persian rice preparations and spices with ingredients, and attire combining with Indian textiles, further supported by royal patronage of for scholarly pursuits and khanqahs for Sufi gatherings. emerged as the primary court language for official administration, coexisting with regional vernaculars to bridge elite governance and local interactions.

Architecture and Arts

The Bahmani Sultanate's architecture exemplified an , integrating such as arches, domes, and elaborate tilework with local traditions, resulting in robust forts, mosques, and tombs that emphasized grandeur and defensive ingenuity. Key features included bulbous and stilted domes, intricate stucco work with geometric patterns and floral motifs, turquoise-glazed tiles imported from Persia and locally produced in , and pointed arches often adorned with . Prominent structures like , overhauled by founder , featured massive double walls up to 50 feet thick, a wide moat, towers, and courtyards blending military functionality with residential palaces. , built by in the early 15th century, encompassed a perimeter of laterite walls reinforced by 37 bastions, royal palaces, and innovative water management systems, reflecting the sultanate's shift to a fortified capital. Tomb complexes, such as the in housing rulers like Mujahid Shah and the in with high domes, incorporated Persian dome profiles and tilework alongside subtle local motifs for a distinctive aesthetic. Sultans like actively patronized these endeavors, fostering workshops that advanced tile production and , which blended with Deccan idioms to create enduring ornamental styles. This extended to , supporting and that echoed architectural motifs through intricate patterns and vibrant colors.

Literature and Language Development

The Bahmani Sultanate fostered the emergence of , a hybrid literary language blending Persian, Arabic, , and elements, which served as a lingua franca in the courts and facilitated cultural synthesis among diverse populations. This dialect gained prominence as a vehicle for poetry and prose from the late 14th century, with early exemplars like the epic Kadam Rao Padam Rao by Fakhruddin Nizami marking the onset of classical Dakhni literature under Bahmani patronage. Courtly support extended to Persian-language historiography, exemplified by chronicles that documented the sultanate's rulers and events, preserving administrative and political narratives in the Persianate tradition dominant at the Deccan courts. The Burhan-i Ma'asir, composed later but drawing on Bahmani-era sources, reflects this historiographical emphasis, detailing the kingdom's history and its transition to successor states. thrived under royal encouragement, blending Persian mystical themes with local Indo-Islamic expressions to promote spiritual unity and devotion, as seen in works by poets like the Shirazi Iyani who integrated Sufi motifs into Bahmani courtly verse. Such highlighted the sultanate's role in nurturing literary traditions that bridged northern Persian influences with vernacular innovations.

References

  1. https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/bahmanid-dynasty-a-dynasty-founded-in-748-1347-in-the-deccan-sanskrit-daksia-lit/
  2. https://cdn.visionias.in/value_added_material/9ebbe-the-bahmani-kingdom.pdf
  3. https://gazetteers.maharashtra.gov.in/cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/History%20Part/History_II/chapter_2.pdf
  4. https://ijassh.org/admin1/upload/15%20Gangadhar%20Sripada%2001337.pdf
  5. https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/Arts-Journal/ShodhKosh/article/download/4488/4055/25913
  6. https://www.nextias.com/blog/bahamani-kingdom/
  7. https://banotes.org/india-c-1206-1707/formation-rise-bahmani-sultanate-deccan/
  8. https://historyunravelled.com/warriors/alauddin-bahman-shah-of-the-bahmani-sultanate
  9. https://prepp.in/news/e-492-alauddin-hasan-bahman-shah-1347-1358-ce-important-ruler-of-bahmani-kingdom-medieval-india-history-notes
  10. https://www.historymarg.com/2023/12/the-bahmani-sultanate-history.html
  11. https://lotusarise.com/bahmani-kingdom/
  12. https://www.britannica.com/place/India/Bahmani-consolidation-of-the-Deccan
  13. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/social-science/the-bahmani-kingdom-impacts-on-the-indian-subcontinent/
  14. https://karnataka-itihaasa.quora.com/SIEGE-OF-WARANGAL-1460-AD-BAHMANI-SULTANATE-FORCE-ROUTED-BY-ODIA-ARMY
  15. https://manasataramgini.wordpress.com/2004/04/06/war-in-the-konkan/
  16. https://banotes.org/india-c-1206-1707/bahmani-sultanate-military-strategies-organization/
  17. https://testbook.com/ias-preparation/bahmani-kingdom
  18. https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/the-bahmani-kingdom/
  19. https://banotes.org/india-c-1206-1707/afaqis-vs-dakhnis-bahmani-sultanate-struggle/
  20. https://entri.app/blog/bahmani-sultans/
  21. https://historyunravelled.com/warriors/mahmud-shah-bahmani-ii-consolidation-of-power-and-cult
  22. https://www.onlyiasexam.com/2023/07/History-of-Deccan-Sultanates-Bahmani-Kingdom-Notes-MCQ-QUIZ.html
  23. https://banotes.org/india-c-1206-1707/fragmentation-bahmani-sultanate-rise-deccan-sultanates/
  24. https://cbc.gov.in/cbcdev/bahmani/bahmani-story.html
  25. https://banotes.org/india-c-1206-1707/bahmani-sultanate-governance-central-provincial-administration/
  26. https://edukemy.com/free-resources-for-upsc/prelims-notes/bahamani-kingdom/administration-of-bahamani-kingdom/101629
  27. https://socialresearchfoundation.com/peridoicresearchjan/39.%20Sanjeev%20Kumar%20Tandle.pdf
  28. https://www.historyjournal.net/article/477/7-7-29-727.pdf
  29. https://www.boloji.com/articles/973/the-deccan-gulbarga-and-bidar
  30. https://www.inheritage.foundation/heritage/bidar-fort
  31. https://www.dalvoy.com/en/upsc/mains/previous-years/2013/history-paper-i/bahmani-kingdom-society-economy
  32. https://www.academia.edu/143751323/The_Bahmani_Trade_Network_A_Study_of_Commerce_in_Medieval_India
  33. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26859268
  34. https://edukemy.com/free-resources-for-upsc/prelims-notes/bahamani-kingdom/society-of-bahamani-kingdom/101627
  35. https://www.historydiscussion.net/history-of-india/the-bahmanis-polity-society-economy-and-culture/2028
  36. https://banotes.org/india-c-1206-1707/gender-dynamics-delhi-sultanate-era/
  37. https://www.academia.edu/35615729/Migrant_Iranians_in_the_Deccan_A_Political_Aristocracy_in_Sixteenth_Century_South_Asia
  38. https://telangana.pscnotes.com/dmpq/discuss-how-the-unique-geo-political-and-social-dynamics-of-the-deccan-catalyzed-the-emergence-of-a-rich-composite-culture-exploring-its-manifestations-across-various-spheres-and-its-profound-implica/
  39. https://www.dalvoy.com/en/upsc/mains/previous-years/2024/history-paper-i/bahmani-sultans-indo-islamic-architecture
  40. https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5887/
  41. https://www.caravanmagazine.in/history/the-rise-and-fall-of-dakhni-literature
  42. https://franpritchett.com/00urduhindilinks/workshop2012/sayed_mohamed_1968.pdf
  43. http://deepak-indianhistory.blogspot.com/2014/04/burhan-i-maasir.html
  44. https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/10023/26625/Peacock_IJBIPS_Iyani_AAM.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.