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The counci 1 of eight ministers was called as Ashtapradhanas.

Shivaji’s father was in the military services of the Sultan of Bijapur.

Raigadh was the capital of Shivaji.

Shivaji was bom at the hill Fort of Shivaneridurga in 1627 C.E.

Dadaji Kondadeva and Jijabai were the two personalities who inspired Shivaji.

Shivaneridurga, Raigadh, Purandhar, Chakana, Kondana etc.,

Introduction: The decline of Mughals led to the rise of independent states in different parts of India. Among them, the Marathas were prominent. The main objective was protecting the Hindu religion and culture. The disunited people of Marathas were welded together and made a great political power opposing the Mughals. Shivaji was the founder of the Maratha Kingdom. The hilly tracts of the western edge of the Deccan plateau was the home of the Marathas. Geographical conditions had taught them the spirit of hard work, self reliance and independence. Early life of Shivaji: Shivaji was bom at Shivaneridurga in 1627 C.E. His parents were Shahaji Bhonsle and Jijabai. Shahaji was serving under the Sultan of Bijapur, and he had left Shivaji and Jijabai at Poona.

Jijabai showered all her motherly love and affection on Shivaji. He was greatly influenced by his mother. She narrated stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha (Hindu epics), which made him courageous. His tutor and guide Dadaji Kondadeva also shaped his personality. He trained Shivaji in the art of administration, state craft and military activities. Shivaji was also influenced by Guru Ramdas andTukaram, By their teachings, he developed love towards his motherland. Shivaji mastered the art of guerilla . warfare and the geographical feature of the western deccan also influenced Shivaji.

Political career of Shivaji: Shivaji captured the Fort of Torana from the Sultan of Bijapur in 1646 C.E. He constructed a new Fort at Raigadh. He gained control over his father’s Jahagir. He occupied the Forts of Baramathi, Indapura, Purandar and Kondana. His fame began to grow on account of these achievements.

Shivaji and Afzal Khan (Bijapur) 1659-1663 C.E: The growing strength and popularity of Shi vaji was a threat to the Sultan of Bijapur. Sultan decided to take action against Shivaji, and sent Afzal Khan against him. Shivaji very tactfully killed Afzal Khan in 1659 C.E. near Pratapagada and looted his camp. In 1661, the Sultan of Bijapur made peace with Shivaji and recognised his conquests.

Shivaji and the Mughals (Aurangazeb) (1663 C.E.): Shivaji had occupied many territories belonging to Aurangazeb. To check his expansion, Aurangazeb despatched Shaista Khan. Khan succeeded in occupying a vast maratha territory including Poona. UnFortunately, Khan stayed at Poona in the house where Shivaji had spent his childhood. On the 15th April 1663, Shivaji attacked Shaista Khan in his bedroom at midnight. In the confusion, Khan lost his finger and his son Abul Fathe and a few khans from the Deccan. This incident increased the popularity of Shivaji.

Attack on Surat (1664 C.E.): In 1664, Shivaji attacked and plundered Surat. Aurangazeb deputed Raja Jai Singh of Amber against Shivaji. He led an expedition and surrounded Shivaji on all sides and captured many of his Forts like Purandhar, Raigadh etc. Shivaji was defeated and was made to sign the treaty of Purandar on 24^th June 1665 C.E. According to the treaty of Purandar, (1) Shivaji surrendered 23 Forts to the Mughals and agreed to pay tribute to Aurangazeb. (2) His son, Sambhaji had to serve the Mughal government as a Mansabdar.

Visit to Agra in 1666 C.E.: Due to the compulsion of Jai Singh, Shivaji visited the Mughal court at Agra in 1666 C.E. But Aurangazab did not show him any respect. Shivaji spoke to Aurangazeb in a bold manner and he was imprisoned. Shivaji, using his usual tact and intelligence, pretended to be ill and started sending baskets of sweets for distribution among the Brahmins and poor people.

When the watchmen were, a little relaxed and not alert, Shivaji took advantage of it and escaped from the prison in a sweet basket and reached his Kingdom in the guise of a sanyasi. This incident compelled Aurangazeb to recognise Shivaji as a King. Shivaji reconquered all the Forts that were surrendered earlier to the Mughals as per the treaty of Purandar.

Shivaji’s coronation in June 1674 C.E.: Shivaji was crowned as the Maratha King in 1674 C.E. His coronation took place at Raigadh with great pomp and as per vedic rites. He assumed the title ‘Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja’. After that, a new and strong Hindu Kingdom came up in Deccan. Shivaji died in April 1680 C.E.

Administration under Shivaji: Shivaji was not only a conqueror and founder of a Kingdom but also a good administrator. He employed people of all castes and tribes, to maintain a balance. In his administration, he was the sole authority of the government,and he assigned separate responsibilites to ministers and also ensured that no official post turned out to be hereditary. He gave special attention towards administation. He carried on his administration with the help of his ministers called “The Ashtapradhans’. There were 18 departments in Shivaji’s administration.

Shivaji was assisted by Ashtapradhans, the eight ministers. They were:

1. Peshwa -The Prime minister, who attended to all types of Government activities. 

2. Amatya- Finance Minister. 

3. Mantri – Minister dealing with information, diplomacy, war etc. 

4. Sumant-In charge of foreign affairs of the state. 

5. Sachiva – Home minister who took care of the correspondence of the King. 

6. Pandit Rao – dealt with religious matters and ceremonies (Chief priest) 

7. Senapati or Sar-i-Navbat- Commander in Chief of the Army. 

8. Nyayadhisha – (Chief Justice) who dealt with both civil and criminal Justice.

1. Divisions of the Kingdom: (Provincial Government): Shivaji divided his Kingdom into four Provinces which were called ‘Swarajya’. Each province was controlled by a Viceroy called ‘Sardeshmukh’.Each Swarajya was divided into Deshas whose head was ‘Deshmukh’. Deshas were further divided into ‘Paraganas’. Desai was the head of a Paragana. Village was the last unit of administration. The village administration was looked after by the village assembly (panchayat). Patel was the executive officer of the village. Shivaji abolished the practice of granting Jagirs.

2. Military Administration : Shivaji’s Kingdom was a military state. The army consisted of infantry, cavalary and navy. He maintained a well equipped, disciplined army. Senapathi was the incharge of the army. The foot soldiers were specially trained in guerilla and mountain warfare. The soldiers were paid regular fixed salary. 25 soldiers were placed under a Havaldar, 5 Havaldars were under the control of a Jamladar, 10 Jamladars were under a Hazari, and 5 Hazaris were commanded by a Panjhazari. Shivaji had a fleet, which was stationed at Kolaba. He checked and limited the power of Jinijras the militant tribals. His troops were armed with swords, spears, bows, arrows, daggers, muskets, etc. Hindus and Muslims were recruited in to the maratha army without any discrimination.

3. Judicial System: The King was the highest court of appeal. The civil causes were decided by the village panchayat and criminal cases were decided by Governors. The Judgements of the village court had royal recognition. The King and Nyayadhisha heard over the appeals. Nyayadhisha was responsible for civil and military justices.

4. Revenue System: Shivaji established an excellent revenue system. The assessment was made after a survey and classification of the land according to its fertility and yield. The state demand was fixed at 30% of the total produce. The revenue was to be paid either in cash or kind. In the time of famine, the land revenue was exempted. Landowners were given, a ‘Patta’ and the Jahagir system was abdishod. Regular payment of salary was introduced. Shivaji arranged loans for peasants to encourage cultivation. He levied taxes called ‘Chauth and Sardeshmukhi’.

Assessment: Shivaji occupies an important place in the Indian history. He was brave, adventurous and a bom leader of men. He founded the Maratha Kingdom, and gave to it a very fine rule of administration. He was a good judge of men and tolerant of other religions. He restored Hindu religion and culture. According to K.M. Panicker, “Shivaji was one of the greatest nation builders of the world”.

Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar (1673-1704 C.E.)

Kenpegowda-1 was the founder of Bengaluru in 1537 C.E.

Shivaji was the founder of the Maratha Kingdom.

Treaty of Purandhar in 1665 C.E.

Krishnadevaraya assumed the title Yavanarajya Pratishthapanacharya.

Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja.

The first drama in Kannada was ‘Mitravinda Govinda’ written by Singararaya, the court poet of Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar.

Allasani Peddanna-Andhra Kavita Pitamaha.

Apratimavecra, Navakoti Narayana, Maharashtrabhupala Jalaripu, Karnataka Chakravarti, Tenkanaraja, Dharma Prabhu etc., were the titles assumed by Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar.

Kannadarajyaramaramana, Kavipungava, Karnatakandhrabhoja, Yavanarajya Pratishthapanacharyaetc.,

Krishandevaraya wrote ‘Amuktamalyada’ in Telugu,Jambavathi Kalyana, Madalasacharithe, Rasamanjari and Ushaparinayam in Sanskrit.

Krishnadevaraya belonged to Tuluva dynasty.

Ilarihara was the first Ruler of Vijayanagara.

Romances and Fabliaux a type of comic verse, were two important literary styles.

Literature: The Mughal period witnessed a growth in literature. Many literary works were written in Persian, Hindi, Turkish and Arabic languages. Babar had written his memoirs or ‘Tuzuk – i – Baburi in Turkish. It was translated into Persian by Abdul Rahim. Humayun’s sisterGulbadan Begum wrote TIumayunNama’. Abdul Fazal wrote ‘Ain-i-Akbari’and ‘Akbar Nama’. His style was grand and he was the most remowned Persian writer.

The Tabakat-i-Akbari was written by Nizamuddin. Ramayana (Haji Ibrahim), Mahabharatha (Nagib Khan), Atharva veda and Leelavathi (Faizi), Rajatarangini, Panchatantra and the story of Nala Damayanthi etc were translated from Sanskrit to Persian. Prince Dara (son of Shahjahan), translated the Upanishads into Persian. Jahangir wrote a book ‘Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri ’. Shahjahan patronized the scholars like Abdul Hamid Lahori who wrote Padshah Nama and Inayat Khan who was the author of Shahjahan Nama.

Hindi Literature: The well known Hindi poets of Akbar’s time were Abdul Rahim, Bhagwandas, Mansingh, Birbal, Tulasidas and others. Birbal was the favourite of Akbar and was conferred the title ‘Kavi Raja’. Tulasidas wrote ‘Ramcharitmanas’. Surdas wrote the famous work ‘Sur Sagar’, Ras Khan who was a muslim devotee of Lord Krishna, wrote ‘Prem Vatika’, Malik Mohammad Jaisy wrote the famous epic called ‘Padmavali’. Sundarof Gwalior composed the work ‘Sundar Sringar’. The great Sanskrit scholar Jagannath Pandit wrote ‘Ganga Lahari’. In Bengali, Marathi, Urdu and Gujarathi also, literature progressed during the Mughal rule. Akbar, Jahangir and Shahjahan were great patrons of literature in their courts.

Art and Architecture: The mughals were great builders and lovers of art and architecture. Their style of architecture was partly foreign and partly indigenous. The important features of the mughal architecture were domes, tall pillars, gateways with domes, arches, minars etc., The mughals built a large variety of secular and religious buildings. Babar built the mosques at Kabulibagh in Panipat and Jami Masjidat Sambal in Rohilkhand. Humayun built mosques at Agra and Fathepur. He built a palace at Delhi called Din-i-Panah.

Sher Shah built his tomb at Sasaram and the Purana Qila at Delhi. Akbar extended liberal patronage to the growth of architecture in India. The first work of Akbar was the Humayun Torpb at Delhi which is in the persian style. Most of the buildings of Akbar’s time were built with red sand stone. The Jodha Bai palace and Panchamahal are the impressive structures by Akbar at Fathepur Sikhri. The massive 176 ft Gateway or the ‘Buland Darwaza’ is the tallest Gateway in India. Agra Red Fort. JammaMasjid, white marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti, Diwan-i-Am and Diwan-i- Khas, house of Birbal, and Sonhal Makan are some of the most beautiful architectural pieces at Fathepur Sikhri built by Akbar.

The architecture of mughals reached its highest watermark during the reign of Shahjahan. He got built many buildings at Agra, Delhi, Lahore, Kabul, Kashmir, Kandhar, Ajmer and other places. The important buildings of Shahjahan were the Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-iKhas. Red Fort and Jamma Masjid in Delhi. Moti Masjid and Taj Mahal in Agra.

Taj Mahal (1632-1653): Taj Mahal at Agra is symbolic of the royal love. Shahjahan built it on the banks of river Yamuna in the memory of his beloved wifeArjumandBanu Begum, who was given the title ‘Mumtaz Mahal’. Taj was construced under the guidance of Ustad – isa -Khan. It took nearly 22 years for the construction to be completed and nearly Rs 3 crores was spent for the purpose. The height of the mahal is 187 ft. It was built of white marble. The Taj is certainly the “finest monument of conjugal love and fidelity”. It is considered as ‘one of the wonders of the modem world”.

Paintings of the Mughal Age: Babur, Akbar and Jahangir were the most important mughal rulers who patronized painting. Babur was a lover of beauty and art. The mughal painting is a mixture of Indian and Persian styles. Indian artists under Akbar, caused the growth of this mughal style. Akbar created a separate department of paintings under the control of Khwaja Abdul Samad. lie gained the title’ Shirim Khaim or Sweet Pen’.

They painted court scenes, historical events and natural scenes. Portraits and miniature paintings were a Mughal speciality. Govardhan, Jagannath, Tarachand, Abdul Sammad, Mir Sayyid Ali, Basawan, Manohar, Bishen Das, Aqa Riza, Abul Hasan, and Ustad Mansur were some of the great artists of this time. Jahangir was an expert judge and critic of paintings.

Music: Mughal Emperors patronized music and musicians. Tansen, Ramdas, Briju Bavara and Surdas were the great musicians in the court of Akbar. Babar, Jahangir and Shahjahan were themselves good singers and composed many lyrics.

Foreign Accounts: Many visitors and travellers visited Vijayanagara from time to time and they have left their observations in writing vividly and these observations are very good sources for reconstructing history.

1. Nicolo Conti: This Italian traveller visited Vijayanagara (Hampi) during Devaraya-I’s reign in 1421 C. E. He says “Vijayanagara is surrounded by mountains. Its circumference is 60 miles. The fort walls have been extended almost right up to the foot of the hillocks and there are nearly 90,000 soldiers. Vijayanagara is the most prosperous and grand city. The King is very powerful”.

2. Abdul Razzak : He was the Persion Ambassador to the court of Devaraya – II in 1443 C. E. He says about Vijayanagara (Hampi) that ‘The world had never seen such a glorious Kingdom. The city is surrounded by seven fortification walls, the King is powerful. People loved roses and they were sold everywhere. Precious stones like rubies, diamonds and jewels were sold in the open market without any fear of risk”. He also explained about the celebration of Mahanavami festival with great splendour.

3. Niketin: He was a Russian traveller, who visited the Bahamani Kingdom in 1470 C.E. He wrote about the army, natural defense of the city and its wealth, the social life and splendour of the King etc., in the neighbouring Vijayanagara Empire.

4. Durate Barbosa : He was a Portuguese traveller who visited the court of Krishnadevaraya in 1514 C.E. He gives information about the trade and commerce of Vijayanagara and the fact that the King used to hold discussions with his ministers in the conference hall.

5. Domingo Paes: He was a Portuguese traveller who visited the court of Krishnadevaraya in 1520 C.E. He wrote about the daily life of the people, the city, about the temples, Emperor, festivals etc.,. He has also referred to Krishnadevaraya’s enormous wealth and about his treasury.

6. Fernao Nuniz: He was a Portugal traveller who reached Vijayanagara in 1535 during the period of Achyutaraya. His accounts throw light on the political and cultural activities of the Vijayanagara Empire. He says that Vijayanagara was a city with the best basic amenities in the world.

7. Ceasar Fredericci: He was an Italian traveller who visited Vijayanagara in 1567 C.E. According to his accounts, Vijayanagara was a ruined city after the Talikote battle. He also says that the people did not live there and only wild animals were living.

First capital was Anegondi, near Hampi. Later Hampi was made the capital.

Introduction: The decline of Mughals led to the rise of independent states in different parts of India. Among them, the marathas were prominent. The main objective was protecting the Hindu religion and culture. The disunited people of Marathas were welded together and made a great political power opposing the Mughals. Shivaji was the founder of the Maratha Kingdom. The hilly tracts of the western edge of the Deccan plateau was the home of the Marathas. Geographical conditions had taught them the spirit of hard work, self-reliance and independence. Early life of Shivaji: Shivaji was born at Shivaneridurga in 1627 C.E.

His parents were Shahaji Bhonsle and Jijabai. Shahaji was serving under the Sultan of Bijapur, and he had left Shivaji and Jijabai at Poona. Jijabai showered all her motherly love and affection on Shivaji. He was greatly influenced by his mother. She narrated stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha (Hindu epics), which made him courageous. His tutor and guide Dadaji Kondadeva also shaped his personality.

He trained Shivaji in the art of administration, state craft and military activities. Shivaji was also influenced by Guru Ramdas and Tukaram, By their teachings, he developed love towards his motherland. Shivaji mastered the art of guerilla. warfare and the geographical feature of the western deccan also influenced Shivaji.

Political career of Shivaji: Shivaji captured the Fort of Torana from the Sultan of Bijapur in 1646 C.E. He constructed a new Fort at Raigadh. He gained control over his father’s Jahagir. He occupied the Forts of Baramathi, Indapura, Purandar and Kondana. His fame began to grow on account of these achievements.

Shivaji and Afzal Khan (Bijapur) 1659-1663 C.E: The growing strength and popularity of Shi vaji was a threat to the Sultan of Bijapur. Sultan decided to take action against Shivaji, and sent Afzal Khan against him. Shivaji very tactfully killed Afzal Khan in 1659 C.E. near Pratapagada and looted his camp. In 1661, the Sultan of Bijapur made peace with Shivaji and recognised his conquests.

Shivaji and the Mughals (Aurangazeb) (1663 C.E.): Shivaji had occupied many territories belonging to Aurangazeb. To check his expansion, Aurangazeb despatched Shaista Khan. Khan succeeded in occupying a vast maratha territory including Poona. Unfortunately, Khan stayed at Poona in the house where Shivaji had spent his childhood. On the 15th April 1663, Shivaji attacked Shaista Khan in his bedroom at midnight. In the confusion, Khan lost his finger and his son Abul Fathe and a few khans from the Deccan. This incident increased the popularity of Shivaji.

Attack on Surat (1664 C.E.): In 1664, Shivaji attacked and plundered Surat. Aurangazeb deputed Raja Jai Singh of Amber against Shivaji. He led an expedition and surrounded Shivaji on all sides and captured many of his Forts like Purandhar, Raigadh etc. Shivaji was defeated and was made to sign the treaty of Purandar on 24th June 1665 C.E. According to the treaty of Purandar, (1) Shivaji surrendered 23 Forts to the Mughals and agreed to pay tribute to Aurangazeb. (2) His son, Sambhaji had to serve the Mughal government as a Mansabdar.

Visit to Agra in 1666 C.E.: Due to the compulsion of Jai Singh, Shivaji visited the Mughal court at Agra in 1666 C.E. But Aurangazab did not show him any respect. Shivaji spoke to Aurangazeb in a bold manner and he was imprisoned. Shivaji, using his usual tact and intelligence, pretended to be ill and started sending baskets of sweets for distribution among the Brahmins and poor people.

When the watchmen were, a little relaxed and not alert, Shivaji took advantage of it and escaped from the prison in a sweet basket and reached his Kingdom in the guise of a sanyasi. This incident compelled Aurangazeb to recognise Shivaji as a King. Shivaji reconquered all the Forts that were surrendered earlier to the Mughals as per the treaty of Purandar.

Shivaji’s coronation in June 1674 C.E.: Shivaji was crowned as the Maratha King in 1674 C.E. His coronation took place at Raigadh with great pomp and as per vedic rites. He assumed the title ‘Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja’. After that, a new and strong Hindu Kingdom came up in Deccan. Shivaji died in April 1680 C.E.

Administration under Shivaji: Shivaji was not only a conqueror and founder of a Kingdom but also a good administrator. He employed people of all castes and tribes, to maintain a balance. In his administration, he was the sole authority of the government, and he assigned separate responsibilities to ministers and also ensured that no official post turned out to be hereditary. He gave special attention towards administration. He carried on his administration with the help of his ministers called “The Ashtapradhans’. There were 18 departments in Shivaji’s administration.

Shivaji was assisted by Ashtapradhans, the eight ministers. They were:

1. Peshwa -The Prime minister, who attended to all types of Government activities. 

2. Amatya- Finance Minister. 

3. Mantri – Minister dealing with information, diplomacy, war etc. 

4. Sumant-In charge of foreign affairs of the state. 

5. Sachi va – Home minister who took care of the correspondence of the King. 

6. Pandit Rao – dealt with religious matters and ceremonies (Chief priest) 

7. Senapati or Sar-i-Navbat- Commander in Chief of the Army. 

8. Nyayadhisha – (Chief Justice) who dealt with both civil and criminal Justice.

1. Divisions of the Kingdom: 

(Provincial Government): Shivaji divided his Kingdom into four Provinces which were called ‘Swarajya’. Each province was controlled by a Viceroy called ‘Sardeshmukh’.Each Swarajya was divided into Deshas whose head was ‘Deshmukh’. Deshas were further divided into ‘Paraganas’. Desai was the head of aParagana. Village was the last unit of administration. The village administration was looked after by the village assembly (panchayat). Patel was the executive officer of the village. Shivaji abolished the practice of granting Jagirs.

2. Military Administration : Shivaji’s Kingdom was a military state. The army consisted of infantry, cavalary and navy. He maintained a well equipped, disciplined army. Senapathi was the incharge of the army. The foot soldiers were specially trained in guerilla and mountain warfare. The soldiers were paid regular fixed salary. 25 soldiers were placed under a Havaldar, 5 Havaldars were under the control of a Jamladar, 10 Jamladars were under a Hazari, and 5 v Hazaris were commanded by a Panjhazari. Shivaji had a fleet, which was stationed at Kolaba.

He checked and limited the power of Jinijras the militant tribals. His troops were armed with swords, spears, bows, arrows, daggers, muskets, etc. Hindus and Muslims were recruited in to the maratha army without any discrimination.

3. Judicial System: The King was the highest court of appeal. The civil causes were decided by the village panchayat and criminal cases were decided by Governors. The Judgements of the village court had royal recognition. The King and Nyayadhisha heard over the appeals. Nyayadhisha was responsible for civil and military justices.

4. Revenue System: Shivaji established an excellent revenue system. The assessment was made after a survey and classification of the land according to its fertility and yield. The state demand was fixed at 30% of the total produce. The revenue was to be paid either in cash or kind. In the time of famine, the land revenue was exempted. Landowners were given, a ‘Patta’ and the Jahagir system was abdishod. Regular payment of salary was introduced. Shivaji arranged loans for peasants to encourage cultivation. He levied taxes called ‘Chauth and Sardeshmukhi’.

Assessment: Shivaji occupies an important place in the Indian history. He was brave, adventurous and a bom leader of men. He founded the Maratha Kingdom, and gave to it a very fine rule of administration. He was a good judge of men and tolerant of other religions. He restored Hindu religion and culture. According to K.M. Panicker, “Shivaji was one of the greatest nation builders of the world”.

Saista Khan, the Mughal general was defeated by Shivaji at Poona in 1663 C.E.

Shivaji’s prime minister was called as Peshwa. ,

Shivaji’s coronation took place at Raigadh, in June 1674 C.E.

Dadaji Kondadeva was the teacher of Shivaji.

The neighbouring areas of Shivaji’s Kingdom which were not under the direct rule of Shivaji were to give 1/4 of their Land revenue collection to him. This was known as Chauth.

Tansen (Ramdas, Briju Bavara and Surdas) was the most famous musician in the court of Akbar.

The main features of the Romanesque style were the rounded arches, small windows, massive walls of stone and the predominance of horizontal lines.

Abul Fazal wrote the book Ain-i-Akbari.

Gothic architecture was one of the most attractive building styles. The main features of this style were pointed arches, ribbed vaulting, and buttress.

Ibrahim Adil Shahi – II wrote the book ‘Kitab-i-Navaras. He earned the title ‘Jagadguru’.

A mixture of hindu and muslim styles of architecture is known as the Saracenic or Deccan style of architecture.

Gawan wrote Manazir – ul – Insha and Riyaz – ul – Insha.

Ibrahim Adil Shah-II was called Jagadguru Badshah.

The main attraction of this Gumbaz is its ‘Whispering gallery’.

Malik Sandal was the architect of Gol Gumbaz (1626-1650 C.E.).

Hajarat Kwaja Bande Nawaj was the famous sufi saint of Guibarga. His Darga is in Guibarga.

Alberuni, a Persian scholar wrote the famous book Kitab – ul – Hind.

Jami Masjid at Gulbarga is the biggest Mosque in south India

Qutub- ud-din-Aibak was the founder of the Slave dynasty.

Gol-Gumbaz is in Bijapur. It was built by Sultan Mohammad Adil Shah.

Mahmud Gawan builtthe Madarasa at Bidar.

Gulbarga (Kalburgi) was the first capital of Bahamani Sultans.

Ibrahim Adi 1 Shah-II built the Roza at Bijapur. .

Cultural contributions: 

Education : Reciting Quran was a part of education. Poor muslim students were granted scholarships. There were separate schools for girls. Mahmud Gawan was a great patron of education. He spent his earnings for the spread of education. He built a Madarasa at Bidar in 1472 C.E. This building consisted of 4 blocks of 3 storeys each. It had a well equipped Library, Lecture halls and accommodation for Professors and students. Philosophy, religion, poetry, science and medicine were the subjects taught. It had free toarding and lodging facilites. Persian, Arabic and Urdu were the mediums of instruction.

Literature: The Bahamas encouraged scholars and writers. So, Persian, Arabic and Dcccani Urdu literatures made considerable progress. Sultan Firoz Shah was well versed in philosophy. He was an expert in natural science, geometry and the Quran. He gave patronage to scholars in his court.

Mahmud Gawan, the Prime minister of Mohammad Shah. – III was a scholar. I le wrote books on religion, literature, medicine and maths. His important works were Riyaz-ul-Insha and Manazirul-Insha. They give an account on the polity, poetry and other aspects. Calligraphy was used in writing the quotations of the Quran.

The great Persian scholars were Isami, Mulla Harvi, Hakim Tabriz, Ainuddin Bijapuri and others. The history of the Bahamani rulers was composed in verse by Sheikh Adhari as Bahaman – Name – i – Dhakini. A new dialect called ‘Deccani Urdu’ became popular. The famous sufi saint of Gulbarga, Hazarat Khwaja Bande Nawaz has enriched the Urdu language. The Darga of this saint was built at Gulbarga. The Bahamanis have contributed significantly to the growth of literature.

Art and Architecture: The Bahamani Sultans were generous patrons of art and architecture. In general, they followed the Delhi architecture. The architecture of palaces, forts, mosques, tombs etc., is a mixture of Hindu and Muslim (Indo-Islamic) style known as the Deccani style of architecture. The main features of this style are – 1) Tall Minarets 2) Strong arches 3) Huge domes 4) Spacious Hazaras (Big halls) 5. Crescent moon at the top of the buildings. The influence of persian style is also a predominant feature.

Buildings at Gulbarga: Jami Masjid was the earliest building of the Bahamanis. Some of the other notable structures at Gulbarga are the Fort, the Bande Nawaz tomb, Shah Bazaar Mosque, Hafta Gumbaz (Seven tomb complex) etc., The tomb of Bande Nawaz is a very important tomb of this period. Its walls have decorations with calligraphic designs and they are painted in rich colours.

Buildings at Bidar: The Bahamanis have built many buildings at Bidar. These have foreign influence, as they were constructed by craftsmen from Turkey, Persia and Arabia. Solha Khamba Mosque at Bidar resembles a Roman building with its pillars which are round. There are many multi-storied buildings at Bidar which include Rangeen Mahal Palace, Gagan Mahal, Tarkash Mahal, Chine Mahal, Nagina Mahal, Gawan’s Madarasa etc. At Astur (near Bidar), there are 12 tombs, which are larger than the tombs at Gulbarga. They have bigger domes and many more arches.