Establishment and Early History

The Deccan region was part of the provincial administration of the Delhi Sultanate. To stabilize administration in the Deccan, Mohammad bin Tughlaq appointed amiran-i-sada (Sada Amir), administrative heads for hundred villages. However, from 1337 onwards, conflicts between Deccan officers and the Delhi Sultanate intensified, leading to the establishment of the Bahamani Sultanate in 1347. The capital of this newly independent state was set at Gulbarga in Karnataka.

The Bahamani Sultanate

Founding and Early Kings

Alauddin Hassan Gangu Bahaman Shah (1347–1358): The founder of the Bahmani Sultanate. His reign marked the beginning of the rivalry with the Vijayanagara Kingdom over the fertile Raichur Doab region. Bahaman Shah also had frequent conflicts with the Warangal state and the Reddy kingdoms of Rajahmundry and Kondavidu. He emerged victorious in these expeditions and adopted the title of Second Alexander on his coins.

Mohammed I (1358–1375): Succeeded Bahaman Shah. His attack on Warangal in 1363 resulted in acquiring a large indemnity, including the fortress of Golkonda and the turquoise throne, which became the throne of the Bahmani kings.

Mahamud Gawan (1463–1482): Served as the prime minister under Mohammad III. He was a Persian merchant who became a key statesman and military leader. Gawan was known for his expertise in Islamic theology, Persian, and mathematics. He established a major learning center in Bidar with a collection of 3,000 manuscripts and led successful campaigns against Vijayanagara, Orissa, and sea pirates. However, his progress was met with hostility from native Muslim leaders, leading to his execution. His death marked the beginning of the decline of the Bahmani Sultanate.

Mohammad III (1463–1482): The Sultan during Gawan’s peak. His reign saw the consolidation of the Bahmani state and successful military campaigns.

Ahmad Shah al Wali (1425–1436): Moved the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar, a significant shift in the Sultanate’s administration.

Mohammed II (1482–1518): His reign was marked by internal strife and weakening of the Sultanate’s power.

Ali Adil Shah (1558–1580): One of the later rulers who saw the continued fragmentation of the Sultanate into independent states.

Conflicts with Vijayanagara Empire

The Bahmani Sultanate and the Vijayanagara Empire were frequently at odds, primarily over the fertile Raichur Doab region. Key conflicts include:

• Early Conflicts: Under Bahaman Shah and Mohammed I, the Bahmanis engaged in repeated skirmishes with Vijayanagara, often over control of the strategically important Raichur Doab.
• Battles and Campaigns:
  • Battle of Raichur (1520): During the reign of Krishnadevaraya, the Vijayanagara Empire launched a campaign to capture Raichur. This battle was part of a series of conflicts between the two powers.
  • War of Succession: After the death of Krishnadevaraya, the Bahmani Sultanate took advantage of the instability within Vijayanagara to expand its influence.

Decline and Fragmentation

Following the execution of Mahmud Gawan, the Bahmani Sultanate began to decline. Internal strife and weak leadership led to the fragmentation of the Sultanate into five independent kingdoms: Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Berar, Golkonda, and Bidar.

Administration

The Bahmani Sultanate was divided into four administrative units known as ‘tarafs’ or provinces:

• Provinces: Daultabad, Bidar, Berar, and Gulbarga.
• Governance: Each province was overseen by a tarafdar (subedar). Some land was designated as Khalisa land for royal expenses.
• Nobility: Nobles received salaries in cash or as land grants (jagir).

Military

The Bahmani rulers relied on amirs for military support, consisting of:

• Deccanis: Long-time residents of the Deccan region.
• Afaquis/Pardesis: Recent immigrants from Central Asia, Iran, and Iraq.
• Gunpowder: The Bahmanis were familiar with gunpowder warfare.

Literature

Persian, Arabic, and Urdu literature flourished during the Bahmani period:

• Mohammad Gawan: Wrote poems in Persian, including Riyaz-ul-Insha and Manazir-ul-Insha.
• Dakhini Urdu: A new dialect that became popular. The Sufi saint Khwaja Bande Nawaz Gesu Daraj wrote in this language.

Architecture

The Bahmani Sultanate is known for its Indo-Islamic architectural style with Persian influences:

• Features:
  • Tall minarets
  • Strong arches
  • Huge domes
  • Spacious Hazaras
  • Crescent moon motifs
• Examples:
  • Gulbarga: Shah Bazaar Mosque, Hafta Gumbaz, Jama Masjid
  • Bidar: Mohammad Gawan’s Madarsa, Solah Khamba Mosque, Rangeen Mahal, Janata Mahal
  • Bijapur: Gol Gumbaz (built by Mohammad Adil Shah in 1656 AD), Ibrahim Roza, Bara Kaman, Anand Mahal, Chand Bawdi

Legacy

The Bahmani Sultanate, despite its eventual fragmentation, left a lasting impact on the Deccan region. Its architectural innovations and cultural contributions continue to be studied and appreciated.

For more detailed information on the Bahmani Sultanate and its influence, explore the links above. This comprehensive look offers a glimpse into the complexities and achievements of one of South India’s significant historical periods.