Political History:
The Bahamani Kingdom, like the Vijayanagar Empire, arose out of one of the many revolts that broke up the Tughlak Empire towards the close of Muhammad – Bin – Tughlak’s rule. The leader of this revolt was Hassan Gangu, also known as Zafar Khan. He proclaimed himself the ruler of the Deccan in August 1347 under the name Sultan Ala - ud – din Bahman Shah. He claimed descent from the famous semi – legendary hero of Persia called Bahman and the dynasty founded by him at Gulbarga came to be known as the Bahamanis. For over two centuries this dynasty played a significant role on the political history and cultural life of the people of the Deccan and North Karnataka.

Ala - ud - din I (1347 – 1358 A. D.) was an ambitious ruler and he expanded his Kingdom after the death of Muhammad – bin – Tughlak. He conquered Bidar, Malkhed, Dabhol, Goa and Telengana. His dominion comprised territories between the Penganga in the north and the Krishna in the south. Dabhol and Bhongir marked its western and eastern frontiers. For the purpose of the administration the Kingdom was divided into four tarafs or provinces, namely Gulbarga, Daulatabad, Bidar and Berar.

Muhammad Shah I (1358 – 1375) had to fight a long – drawn was against Kapaya Nayaka of Warrangal and Bukka of Vijayanagara. He was able to secure the fort of Golkanda from Warrangal. Muhammad Shah I was known for his methodical administration and the construction of Jami – Maszid at Gulbarga.

Mujahid (1375 – 1378) revived the war with Vijayanagara. He was defeated and later he fell a victim to the conspiracy organized by his cousin Daud. Muhammad II (1379 – 1397) was a man of peace. He devoted to the pursuit of literature and science. He evinced a keen interest in the welfare of his subjects and once, when famine broke out in the Sultanate, he employed ten thousand bullocks to bring grain from Malava and Gujarat.

Firuz Shah (1397 – 1422) came to the throne after a war of succession. He was the greatest among the Bahmani Sultans. He invaded the Raichur doab in 1398 and was able to make Harihara II retreat to his capital. During his second campaign the Vijayanagara armies were defeated and the Raya (Devaraya I) had to accept terms dictated by Firuz. The third war with Vijayanagara, however, ended in failure and many of his territories were laid waste by the enemy.

Meanwhile, Firuz Shah led an expedition to Kherla in Madhya Pradesh and reduced its Gond ruler to submission. In 1401 he sent a mission with rich presents to Timur who issued a decree bestowing the Deccan, Malava and Gujarat on Firuz. In 1399 Firuz separated the Raichur doab from the province of Gulbarga and in the following year founded Firuzabad on the river Bhima.

Firuz Shah was a cultured, pious and generous ruler. He took interest in literature, language, science and arts. According to Dr. Joshi, “Firuz was an enlightened ruler, but not a rigid Muslim. Though fond of wine and music, he delighted in holding learned disclosures with Philosophers, poets, historians and other learned men whom he gathered round him”.

Ahmad Shah (1422 – 36) was able to invade Telengana and to capture the fort of Warrangal. After entering into an alliance with the Sultan of Khandesh, he invaded Gujarat twice, but failed to achieve anything. In his wars against Vijayanagara Ahmad Shah suffered reverses and in 1424 he shifted his capital to Bidar (from Gulbarga) because of its central location and strategic position. As he was a ruler with saintly temperament, he was called Wali or Saint by his contemporaries. He took delight in science and literature. During his reign many foreigners like Arabs, Persians, Mongols and Turks migrated into his empire and some of them were appointed to high posts.

Their influx to the country and their status in society roused the jealously of the native Muslims. Religious difference also contributed to the increase in-group rivalry as the foreigners were Shiyas and the decanis were Sunnis. Internal feuds, open fighting and massacre became rampant due to the racial, sectarian and other divisions.

The new Sultan Ala – ud – din II (1436 – 58) became unpopular because he surrounded himself with the foreigners. The jealously and intrigues of the Deccanis weakened the Bahmani Kingdom. Ala – ud – din conducted two campaigns against Vijayanagara, but he was not able to secure any territory. He led a successful expedition to South Konkan. Raja Sangameshwara gave his daughter in marriage to Ala – ud – din who made her his Chief Queen. The co – wife became jealous and made an appeal to her father, Nasir Khan of Khandesh, who invaded Berar in 1437. But the invader was repulsed.

Ala – ud – din’s capricious nature, joined to the lack of firmness, rendered the conflict between the Deccanis and the foreigners more acute than ever. In 1446 the Deccanis massacred a large number of foreigners. Ala – ud – din II reorganized the judicial system and appointed learned men as judges. He founded a free hospital at Bidar and built many mosques, schools and charitable institutions. He appointed censors of morals and enforced prohibition.

Humayun (1458 – 1461) has been described as Zalim or tyrant by Ferishta. He appointed Mahmud Gawan as the Prime Minister, giving him full control over the military affairs. Nizam Shah (1461 – 1463) was only a lad of eight at his accession and the Council of Regency consisted of the Queen Mother and Mahmud Gawan. There was invasion by the Sultan of Malwa, which was driven back by Gawan.

Muhammad III (1463 – 1482) was the last great ruler of the Bahmani Sultanate and under the Kingdom expanded to an extent never witnessed before. He enjoyed the services of Gawan, the famous general and able administrator. But a conspiracy of the Deccanis resulted in the execution of Gawan by the Sultan in 1481. A large number of efficient officials left the court and the foreigners, some of the governors and nobles, deserted the Sultan. The period of Mahmud (1482 – 1518) witnessed the dismemberment of the Bahmani Kingdom. The provincial governors asserted their independence and the political strife at the capital led to the division of the kingdom into five Sultanates:

1. The Adilshahis of Bijapur,
2. The Nizamshahis of Ahmadnagar,
3. The Imadshahis of Berar,
4. The Baridshahis of Bidar and
5. The Qutubshahis of Golkonda.

In Next Edition: Mahmud Gawan (1463 – 1481 A. D.)

Arthikaje,
Mangalore

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