The Bidar Sultanate was one of the five Deccan Sultanates, established in 1492 CE after breaking away from the Bahmani Sultanate. It was the smallest and weakest among the Deccan Sultanates and was later annexed by Bijapur in 1619 CE.
Basic Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Sultanate Name | Bidar Sultanate |
| Time Period | 1492 CE – 1619 CE |
| Region | Deccan (Present-day Karnataka) |
| Founder | Qasim Barid I (1492 CE) |
| Capital | Bidar |
| Major Rivals | Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmadnagar, Mughals |
| Annexed By | Bijapur Sultanate (1619 CE) |
Foundation of the Bidar Sultanate
- Established by Qasim Barid I in 1492 CE, after the decline of the Bahmani Sultanate.
- Became a small and militarily weak kingdom compared to the other Deccan Sultanates.
- The ruling dynasty was known as the Barid Shahi Dynasty.
- Strong Persian cultural influence, with Shia Islam as the state religion.
Major Rulers of the Bidar Sultanate
1. Qasim Barid I (1492–1504) – Founder
- Former prime minister of the Bahmani Sultanate.
- Declared independence in 1492, establishing the Bidar Sultanate.
- Focused on defending Bidar from more powerful neighbors.
2. Amir Barid I (1504–1542)
- Faced constant threats from Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, and Golconda.
- Promoted Persian culture and literature.
3. Ali Barid Shah I (1542–1580)
- Played a minor role in the Battle of Talikota (1565), which led to the defeat of Vijayanagara.
- Encouraged art, architecture, and Persian poetry.
4. Ibrahim Barid Shah II (1580–1587)
- Struggled to maintain independence against Bijapur and Golconda.
5. Qasim Barid II (1587–1591)
- Weak ruler, leading to increased Bijapur influence over Bidar.
6. Amir Barid II (1591–1601)
- Became a vassal of Bijapur.
- Lost effective control over the sultanate.
7. Mirza Ali Barid (1601–1619) – Last Ruler
- Ruled under Bijapur’s dominance.
- In 1619, the Bijapur Sultanate annexed Bidar, ending the Barid Shahi Dynasty.
Administration & Governance
- Small but efficient administration, heavily influenced by Persian models.
- Persian was the official language.
- Relied on alliances and diplomacy for survival.
Military Conflicts
- Fought minor wars with Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, and Golconda.
- Played a small role in the Battle of Talikota (1565).
- Was eventually absorbed by Bijapur in 1619.
Cultural Contributions
- Promoted Persian architecture and literature.
- Built Bidar Fort and Barid Shahi tombs.
- Encouraged trade with Persia and the Ottoman Empire.
Decline of the Bidar Sultanate
- Small Territory and Weak Military:
- Could not compete with Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, and Golconda.
- Dependency on Alliances:
- Relied on Bijapur for survival.
- Final Annexation by Bijapur (1619):
- Bijapur absorbed Bidar, ending the Bidar Sultanate.
Key Facts for Quick Revision
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded By | Qasim Barid I (1492 CE) |
| Capital | Bidar |
| Major Rulers | Amir Barid I, Ali Barid Shah I, Mirza Ali Barid |
| Major Battles | Minor role in the Battle of Talikota (1565) |
| Annexed By | Bijapur Sultanate (1619 CE) |
MCQs on the Bidar Sultanate
1. Who was the founder of the Bidar Sultanate?
A) Qasim Barid I
B) Malik Ambar
C) Ibrahim Adil Shah
D) Chand Bibi
Answer: A) Qasim Barid I
2. What was the capital of the Bidar Sultanate?
A) Bijapur
B) Bidar
C) Ahmadnagar
D) Golconda
Answer: B) Bidar
3. Which battle led to the downfall of the Vijayanagara Empire?
A) Battle of Panipat
B) Battle of Talikota
C) Battle of Plassey
D) Battle of Khanwa
Answer: B) Battle of Talikota
4. Which kingdom annexed the Bidar Sultanate in 1619 CE?
A) Golconda
B) Ahmadnagar
C) Bijapur
D) Mughals
Answer: C) Bijapur
5. Why did the Bidar Sultanate decline?
A) Strong military power
B) Small size and weak rulers
C) Alliance with Vijayanagara
D) European invasion
Answer: B) Small size and weak rulers
These notes are essential for UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, NDA, CDS, and other competitive exams covering Medieval Indian History. Revise thoroughly and practice the MCQs and subjective questions to strengthen your preparation! 🚀