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All About Bahmani Kingdom & Alauddin Bahman Shah UPSC CSE

Bahmani Kingdom

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Summary of Bahmani Kingdom

The Bahmani Sultanate, also known as the Bahmanid Empire or the Bahmani Kingdom, was a Muslim empire in the South Indian Deccan region. It was the first self-governing Muslim empire in the region and was known for its ongoing conflicts with the Hindu rival, Vijayanagara. The Bahmani Sultanate was founded in 1347 by ʿAlaʾ al-Din Bahman Shah and was reinforced by military heads during a revolution against the Delhi sultan, Muhammad ibn Tughluq. The capital of the Bahmani state was Aḥsanabad between 1347 and 1425, later known as Gulbarga and later Muhammadabad (now Bidar). The Bahmani Sultanate gained the most influence during the vizierate of Mahmud Gawan between 1466 and 81. The Bahmani Kingdom was later divided into five inheritor states, with Vijayanagara becoming the capital after the war of Talikota.

The Bahmani kingdom, the first Muslim state, was ruled by 14 sultans for over two centuries. The political and radical control of the sultans was simplified through joint commissions and noninterference among religious societies. The sultans stimulated the culture of the Deccan region and divided the kingdom into four parts (ṭarafs), promoting in1dependence. However, Mahmud Gawan's modifications were unsuccessful. The kingdom was divided into five successors from 1490 to 1518, including Golconda, Bidar, Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, and Berar.

Bidri Art, a 14th-century metal handicraft from Bidar, South India, emerged during the Bahmani Sultanates. Its distinctive design involves blackening white brass and inlaying it with silver, influenced by Persian art. Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti brought it to India as utensils. It has recently received Geographical Indications Tags.

The Bahmani Kingdom had a similar administrative structure to the Delhi Sultanate, with the King in charge and assisted by various authorities. The kingdom was divided into four tarafs, with headquarters in Daulatabad, Berar, Bidar, and Gulbarga, each under the command of a governor. Muhammad I was credited with setting up the institutional and administrative framework of the era.

Indo-Islamic architecture, influenced by Persians, was prominent during this era, featuring significant structures like the Madarasa of Mahmud Gawan, Golconda fort, Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur, and the Charminar at Hyderabad.

Background of Bahmani Kingdom

After the fall of Yadavas and Kakatiyas to the Khaljis and Tughlaqs, Muslim governorships were established in the Deccan region. Mohammed Bin Tughalaq created an elaborate administrative system and appointed Sada Amir, the chief of hundred villages, to perform military and revenue functions. However, a series of revolts broke out in the Deccan region, leading to the establishment of the Bahmani Kingdom by Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah (Jafar Khan) in 1347. The Bahmani kingdom had a primitive type of administration, with five divisions called tarafs, controlled by the associated ruler. The Bahmani sultanate prioritized education, teaching Persian and Arabic languages, and promoting the growth of the Urdu language. The sultans were attracted to art and architecture, building numerous buildings such as libraries, madrasas, and mosques, such as the Gulbarga Juma Masjid, Golconda Fort, Golgumbaz at Bijapur, and the Muhammad Gawan Madrasa.

Introduction of Bahmani Kingdom

The Bahmani kingdom, the first Muslim state, was ruled by 14 sultans for over two centuries. The political and radical control of the sultans was simplified through joint commissions and noninterference among religious societies. The sultans stimulated the culture of the Deccan region and divided the kingdom into four parts (ṭarafs), promoting independence. However, Mahmud Gawan's modifications were unsuccessful. The kingdom was divided into five successors from 1490 to 1518, including Golconda, Bidar, Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, and Berar.

Famous Rulers

  1. Hasan Gangu/Jafar Khan:
    • The Sultanate's founder, Hasan Gangu/Jafar Khan, took on the name Abu'l-Muzaffar Ala-ud-din Bahman Shah.
    • For effective management, his kingdom was split up into four tarafs, or regions:. The Gulbarga, Daulatabad, Berar, and Bidar provinces.
  2. Tajuddin Firoz Shah (1397-1422)
    • The Bahmani expansion towards Berar was initiated by him.
    • He was well-versed in both the natural sciences (botany, geometry, logic, etc.) and the religious sciences (Quranic commentary, jurisprudence, etc.).
    • In the vicinity of Daulatabad, he constructed an observatory and promoted the study of astronomy.
    • He inducted a huge number of Hindus into his government.
  3. Ahmad Shah Wali (1422-35)
    • He moved the capital to Bidar from Gulbarga.
  4. Mahmud Gawan (1461–1481)
    • He was a trader from Persia.
    • Humayun Shah conferred upon him the title of Malik-ul-Tujjar, or "Chief of the Merchants."
    • He appointed tarafdars to oversee each of the eight tarafs, or provinces, that made up the kingdom.
    • The use of gunpowder was introduced in the struggle against the Vijayanagar Kings.
    • Muhammad Shah put Deccan nobles to death in 1481, and they conspired against him.
    • Following Gawan's execution, the regional governors proclaimed their independence and the Bahmani kingdom started to fall apart.
    • He constructed a magnificent Madrasa in the Persian style at the capital, Bidar, and was a well-known patron of the arts and architecture.
    • Nikitin, a Russian traveler, also arrived during this period. The Journey Beyond Three Seas is his most well-known work.

The Bahamani Kingdom broke up into five separate kingdoms by the year 1526:

  1. Nizam Shahis of Ahmadnagar (1490-1633 CE)
    • Ahmad Nizam Shah, a former Brahmin, founded it.
    • In Ahmednagar, Chand Bibi defended the Bahmani Kingdoms from Mughal attacks.
    • Aurangzeb, the Mughal viceroy at the time, seized Ahmadnagar in 1636.
  2. Imad Shahis of Berar (1490-1574 CE)
    • Founded by Fatullah Khan Imad-ul-Mulk, it was later conquered by the Nizam Shahi kings of Ahmadnagar and annexed by them.
  3. Qutub Shahis of Golconda (1518-1687 CE)
    • Founded by Quli Qutub Shah, who also built the iconic Golconda fort.
    • Quli Qutub Shah, the greatest of all Qutub Shahis, was responsible for building the city of Hyderabad and the 'Charminar'.
    • Aurangzeb annexed the kingdom.
  4. Adil Shahis of Bijapur (1490-1686 CE)
    • Yusuf Adil Shah founded it.
    • Gol Gumbaz was erected by Muhammad Adil Shah.
    • The book Kitab-e-Nauras was written by Ibrahim Adil Shah II, also known as Jagadguru Badshah.
    • Aurangzeb annexed the territory in 1686.
  5. Barid Shahis of Bidar (1528-1619 CE)
    • Ali Barid established it, and Adilshahis of Bijapur annexed it in 1619.
    • It was the smallest of the 5 Deccani sultanates.

Conflict between Bahmani kingdom and Vijayanagara empire

Battle of Talikota (1565)

Salient Features of Bahmani Kingdom

  1. Administration:
    • The administrative organization was the same as the Delhi Sultanate.
    • The King is in charge and was aided by a number of authorities in carrying out his tasks, for example.
      • Wakil (Prime Minister)
      • Wazir (Minister)
      • Dabir (Secretary)
      • Sarhaddar (Warden of Marches)
      • Qiladar (Commander of Fortresses)
      • Bakshi (paymaster), Qazi (Judge)
      • Mufti (interpreter of law)
      • Kotwal (police)
      • Muhtasib (censor of public morals) etc
    • Muhammad I was credited with setting up the institutional and administrative framework of the era.
    • Under his rule, the kingdom was divided into four tarafs or regions, with headquarters in Daulatabad, Berar, Bidar, and Gulbarga. Each was placed under the command of a governor
  2. Military
    • The Bahmani ruler relied on his armies to provide military support.
    • Amirs were divided into two groups: Deccanis (immigrant Muslims who had lived in the Deccan region for a long time). The other group consisted of Afaquis or Pardesis, who had lately arrived from Central Asia, Iran, and Iraq.
    • The Bahamanis were experienced with the use of gunpowder in combat.
  3. Economy and Society
    • The Bahmani kingdom saw thriving trade and commerce.
    • Nikitin, a Russian traveler who visited Deccan between 1469 and 1474, provides detailed information about Bidar's commercial activities.
    • Horses, fabric, silk, and pepper were the main products.
    • Nikitin identifies the Bahmani seaport Mustafabad-Dabul as a hub for commerce.
    • Dabul was well-connected to Indian and African ports.
    • Horses were imported from Arabia, Khurasan, and Turkestan.
    • Hindu merchants dominated trade and commerce. Bahmanis had a cosmopolitan social structure.
    • Residents included Muslims, Hindus, Iranians, Transoxonians, Iraqis, and Abyssinians.
  4. Literature
    • Persian, Arabic, and Urdu literature flourished throughout this time.
    • Mohammad Gawan authored poems in Persian. Riyazul-Insha and Manazir-ul-Insha were written by him
    • "Dakhini urdu," a new dialect, gained popularity during this time. Khwaja Bande Nawaz Gesu Daraj, a well-known sufi saint from Gulbarga, wrote in this language.
  5. Architecture
    • There was a lot of Indo-Islamic architecture, with a strong Persian influence.
    • Some of the important structures of this era include:
      • The Madarasa of Mahmud Gawan.
      • The Golconda fort.
      • Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur (2nd largest dome in the world).
      • Charminar at Hyderabad.

Bidri Art

  • During the Bahmani Sultanates, the well-known Bidri Art emerged around the 14th century.
  • Bidri is a type of metal handicraft from Bidar, South India. Its distinctive design is created by blackening white brass and inlaying it with silver.
  • This approach was influenced by Persian art. It was stated that Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti brought it to India as utensils.
  • This local art form has recently received Geographical Indications Tags.

Conclusion of Bahmani Kingdom

The Bahmani Kingdom emphasizes the dynasty's contribution to Deccan architecture and culture, as well as the formation of a unique Islamic identity in South India, which is critical to comprehending the region's historical growth. The latter monarchs of the Bahmani Kingdom were eventually defeated by Akbar and Aurangzeb whole included these into the Mughal empire. Nonetheless, Deccan-era Indo-Islamic art and culture have had a lasting impact on modern India.

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