Mahmud Gawan was a Prime Minister of Bahmani kingdom who served under three sultans. He was a Persian businessman. Humayun Shah bestowed upon him the title of "Malik-ut- Tujjar" (head of merchants). Due to his accomplishments, he was later promoted to wazir (prime minister) and granted the title "Khwaju-i-Jahan." He brought the rule of the Bahmani to a level never before attained by prior sovereigns because of his outstanding ability, deft diplomacy, and successful military conquests. In this article, we will discuss about Mahmud Gawan (1461 – 1481 CE) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Mahmud Gawan - Background

• Mahmud Gawan, also known as Khawaja Mahmud Gilani, was an important nobleman of the Bahmani kingdom, and served Shahabuddin Mahmud III as his prime minister for almost 20 years from 1463 to 1481.
• He was a Persian trader who arrived in India (Deccan) at the age of 42 and entered the Bahmani kingdom's service.
• Humayun Shah, the Bahmani king, bestowed upon him the title of Malik-ul-Tujjar, or "Chief of the Merchants."
• Following Humayun's untimely death, his underage son Nizam Shah was crowned and a regency council was formed, of which Mahmud Gawan was an important member.
• He was gradually promoted to wazir (prime minister) and granted the title of 'Khwaju-i-Jahan' due to his personal attributes.
• He was a major supporter of the arts and donated funds to create a college in Bidar that was designed in the Persian style.
• Strife among nobility was one of the most challenging difficulties the Bahmani kingdom faced.
• The nobles were separated into two groups: Deccanis (old timers) and Afaqis (newcomers).
• Due to court intrigues, Mahmud Gawan was sentenced to death by Muhammad Shah Bahmani III, who was educated and raised by Gawan himself.
• The Bahmani Kingdom's splendor faded after his death, and it was eventually divided into five Shahi Deccan kingdoms

Military Achievements of Mahmud Gawan

• Working conditions of soldiers had been improved. In the army, better discipline was enforced.
• Gawan commanded a successful expedition against Orissa and Khandesh's united army.
• In the struggle against the Vijayanagar kings in Belgaum, he pioneered the use of gunpowder.
• He took over Bidar, Daultabad, and Berar, which were all fertile areas.
• He overcame Mahmud Khalji of Malwa for control of Berar with the support of Gujarat's ruler.
• He established Bahamni authority over the western shore, stretching all the way to Dabhol and Goa.
• Possession of these two ports provided a double benefit.
• First, it resulted in an increase in the Kingdom's sea trade with Iran and Iraq. Internal trade increased as well.
• Second, it undermined the Vijayanagar Kingdom, its arch-enemy. Up to Kanchi, he captured the Vijayanagar territory.

Administrative Reforms Under Mahmud Gawan

• Gawan implemented numerous internal administrative reforms in an attempt to end nobility strife and strengthen the Sultan's control over nobles and provinces.
• He split the kingdom into eight tarafs, or provinces, each of which was ruled by a tarafdar.
• In each of these eight 'tarafs,' some areas were set aside for the Central Government's supervision, and officials were appointed by the Center to oversee their administration.
• Gawan ordered that just one fort in each province be under the direct supervision of the provincial tarafdar in order to limit the tarafdar's military capabilities.
• The province's remaining forts were assigned to a Qiladar, or fort commander.
• He established a just legal system.

Mahmud Gawan’s Work on Education

• He established the Mahmud Gawan Madrasa, a prominent university in Bidar.
• This three-story madarasa with a towering minaret, a mosque, labs, lecture rooms, and students' cells overlooks a large courtyard with arches on either side, giving it a lovely exterior, measured 242 feet long, 222 feet wide, and 56 feet tall.
• The blue tiles on the mosque's outer walls have been stolen in large numbers.
• Several experts from Iran and Iraq were invited to this 'Madrasa.'
• A library with approximately 3000 books has been developed.
• As a linguist and mathematician, he founded a prestigious religious school with the help of carefully selected scientists, philosophers, and religious seers.

Conclusion

Mahmud Gawan was a capable general and administrator, as well as a patron of art and poetry. He led the Bahmani kingdom to many successful battles and carried out many internal administrative reforms. The achievements of Gawan enraged the Indian Muslim lords, who plotted against him and were successful in securing death orders from the Sultan when he was drunk. When the Sultan learned the truth, he was devastated and died within a year after his loyal Prime Minister's assassination. With Gawan's death, the Bahmani Kingdom started to fall and was divided into 5 principalities.