Bahmani Sultanate

Abstract The Bahmani Sultanate (1347–1538) was a Muslim‐ruled state in central India that emerged out of the Delhi Sultanate. The Bahmani Sultanate was facing challenges from its expansionist neighbors, which facilitated the incorporation of local Muslim and non‐Muslim elites. Military pressure encouraged the recruitment of foreign Muslims, who created a distinct elite group increasingly at odds with local elites; this hostility became endemic to the sultanate. During the middle of the 15th century, the sultanate became an important intellectual and cultural center and reached its largest extent. From the 1480s, internal conflicts and controversial centralizing policies led to rebellions and fast disintegration.