THE BAHMANI DYNASTY OF THE DECCAN

Between the period 1343 AD and 1351 AD, during the region of Muhammad-bin-Tughluq a series of revolts resulted in the vast empire being divided into numerous independent provinces.

An Afghan or Turkish officer of the Delhi Sultan named Hassan assumed the title of Bahman Shah and after occupation of Daulatbad in the Deccan proclaimed independence. He was also known as Alauddin I, the founder of the Bahmani dynasty.

His capital was at Gulbarga which was also called as Hassanabad after the Sultan's name Hassan. He conquered large part of the Deccan. By 1358 AD his empire included areas near the west coast , the ports of Goa and Dabhal. Alauddin I was succeeded by Muhammad Shah I. He waged wars against the Hindu rulers of Vijayanagar and Warangal. With his policy of subjuction he subdued countless number of rival Hindu rulers, and accumulated vast treasures. He administered the provinces by yearly tours and was advised by a group of eight ministers. Thus he set a pattern of administration for the Bahmani kingdom.

He was succeeded by Alauddin Mujahid who ruled for 3 years before,being murdered by his cousin brother Duad, which resulted in a civil war. Ahmad Shah ascended the throne in 1422 after deposing Firoz who was the eighth Sultan who ruled from 1397 AD to 1422 AD. He attacked Vijayanagar and resorted to brutal subjection of his opponents who resisted his attacks. Peace was concluded with Vijayanagar. Ahmad Shah also fought against the Sultan of Malwa and Gujarat and the Hindu chiefs of the Konkan. It was during his reign that the capital of the Bahamani kingdom was shifted to Bidar, also called Ahmedabad. Ahmad Shah was succeeded by his eldest son Alauddin II who ruled from (1435-57 AD). He was succeeded by Humayun who ruled from (1451-1461 AD). He pursued a cruel policy of subjuction and brutal punishments till he was succeeded by Muhammad Shah III ,who ruled from (1463-1482 AD) assisted by his able minister Khwaja Mahmud Gawan. A series of conquest followed which involved capture of the strong fortress of Belgaum in 1473 AD and recovery of Goa in 1472 AD from the rulers of the Vijayanagar empire. It was during his rule that the famine of Bijapur befell over the Deccan in 1473 AD. Kanchipuram was raided in the course of the campaign against Vijayanagar in 1481 AD. In 1482 AD Khwaja Mahmud Gawan was murdered and Mahmud Shah succeeded to the throne in 1482 AD and ruled till 1518 AD. During his reign the provincial governors declared their independence and set up five separate kingdoms.

The Imad Shahi Dynasty of Berar

This consisted of the northern part of the Bahamani Kingdom. The Shahi Dynasty of Berar lasted for four generations till 1574 AD.

The Barid Shahi Dynasty of Bidar

The Barid Shahi dynasty was governed by the Barid Shahi Sultans. It was established in 1492 AD by Qasim Barid the minister of Mahmud Shah Bahamani. This dynasty lasted till 1619 AD when it was annexed by Bijapur.

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Updated on 03/08/2015