Governance Structure
The Bahmani Sultanate adopted a sophisticated administrative framework to govern its vast territories, characterized by a division into eight provinces or tarafdars, each under the jurisdiction of a tarafdar.
These provinces, including Daultabad, Bidar, Berar, and Gulbarga, facilitated efficient governance and resource management across the Sultanate.
Noble officials received fixed salaries, disbursed either in currency or through land grants known as jagirs. The nobility was categorized into Deccanis, comprising longstanding members, and Afaqis, representing newcomers, often leading to internal conflicts within the nobility.
Within each province, a designated tract of land, known as khalisa, was reserved for meeting the Sultanate's financial obligations.
Administrative Mechanism
Employing a feudal administrative model, the Bahmani Sultanate established a hierarchical structure to oversee governance at various levels.
The Sultanate's territory was subdivided into eight tarafdars, or provinces, each entrusted to a tarafdar responsible for local administration and governance.
Within these provinces, specific areas were designated as under the direct control of the central government, with appointed officials overseeing administrative affairs.
To ensure effective governance, provinces were further divided into sarkars, or districts, which were in turn segmented into parganas, facilitating localized governance and efficient resource allocation.
Strategically, only one fortress in each province remained directly under the provincial tarafdar's command, limiting their military influence. Additional forts within the province were assigned to qiladars, or fort commanders, to maintain security and stability.
