📌 Topic 05 of 6 · Chapter 09 · Vijayanagara & Bahmani
Bahmani Kingdom & Deccan Sultanates
Bahmani Kingdom (1347–1527), five Deccan Sultanates — Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmadnagar, Bidar, Berar.
🏛️ Bahmani Kingdom (1347–1527 CE)
- Founded by Alauddin Bahman Shah (Hasan Gangu) in 1347 CE — broke away from Delhi Sultanate (Muhammad bin Tughlaq)
- Capital: Gulbarga (later shifted to Bidar)
- Constant conflict with Vijayanagara Empire
- Greatest ruler: Firuz Shah Bahmani — scholar, linguist, tolerant
- Famous minister: Mahmud Gawan — great administrator
Mahmud Gawan:
- Persian merchant who rose to become the most powerful minister of Bahmani Kingdom
- Served under Muhammad Shah III
- Built the famous Madrasa at Bidar — a centre of learning
- Executed in 1481 CE due to court intrigues — his death weakened the Bahmani Kingdom
- After his death, the Bahmani Kingdom broke up into five Deccan Sultanates
🏛️ Five Deccan Sultanates (after 1527 CE)
| Sultanate | Dynasty | Capital | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bijapur | Adil Shahi | Bijapur | Gol Gumbaz (world’s 2nd largest dome); Ibrahim Rauza; Chand Bibi |
| Golconda | Qutb Shahi | Golconda/Hyderabad | Famous for diamonds (Koh-i-Noor); Charminar (1591 CE); Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah |
| Ahmadnagar | Nizam Shahi | Ahmadnagar | Chand Bibi defended against Akbar’s forces (1595 CE) |
| Bidar | Barid Shahi | Bidar | Smallest Deccan Sultanate; Bidar fort |
| Berar | Imad Shahi | Ellichpur | First to be absorbed by Ahmadnagar (1574 CE) |
⭐ Gol Gumbaz (Bijapur): The Gol Gumbaz is the mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah of Bijapur. It has the world’s second largest dome (after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome). It is also famous for its whispering gallery — a circular gallery inside the dome where whispers can be heard across the room. Built in 1656 CE.
⚔️ Battle of Talikota (1565 CE)
- Four Deccan Sultanates (Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmadnagar, Bidar) united against Vijayanagara
- Fought at Talikota (near Bijapur) on January 23, 1565 CE
- Also called Battle of Rakkasagi-Tangadigi
- Vijayanagara king Aliya Rama Raya was captured and beheaded
- Hampi was sacked and destroyed — end of Vijayanagara’s glory
📝 Exam Tip:
• Bahmani Kingdom = 1347 CE = Alauddin Bahman Shah = capital Gulbarga/Bidar
• Mahmud Gawan = great Bahmani minister = Madrasa at Bidar = executed 1481
• Gol Gumbaz = Bijapur = world’s 2nd largest dome = whispering gallery
• Charminar = Golconda/Hyderabad = Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah = 1591 CE
• Battle of Talikota = 1565 CE = four Sultanates vs Vijayanagara = Hampi destroyed
• Bahmani Kingdom = 1347 CE = Alauddin Bahman Shah = capital Gulbarga/Bidar
• Mahmud Gawan = great Bahmani minister = Madrasa at Bidar = executed 1481
• Gol Gumbaz = Bijapur = world’s 2nd largest dome = whispering gallery
• Charminar = Golconda/Hyderabad = Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah = 1591 CE
• Battle of Talikota = 1565 CE = four Sultanates vs Vijayanagara = Hampi destroyed