The founder of the Bahmani Kingdom was

  • Alauddin Mujahid Shah
  • Ahmed Shah
  • Alauddin Bahaman Shah
  • Tajuddin Firoz Shah

Answer: (c) Alauddin Bahaman Shah

Notes:
  • Alauddin Hasan Bahaman Shah whose original name was Zafar Khan or Hasan Gangu was the founder of the Bahmani Kingdom (or Bahmani Sultanate).
  • The Bahmani Sultanate was a Muslim empire that ruled the Deccan Plateau in South India. The Bahmani Sultanate came to power in 1347 during the Rebellion of Ismail Mukh after Ismail Mukh abdicated in favour of Zafar Khan (Hasan Gangu), who would establish the Bahmani Sultanate.
  • The Bahmani capital was Ahsanabad (Gulbarga) between 1347 and 1425 when it was moved to Muhammadabad (Bidar).
    • It was established in present-day Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.
  • Bahmani Sultanate was considered the first independent Islamic kingdom in south India during the medieval era.
  • The Bahmani Sultanate was in perpetual war with its neighbors, including its rival, the Vijayanagara Empire.
  • The Bahmani empire was considered a powerful kingdom for around 200 years. Until the battle between Krishnadeva Raya and the last ruler of the Bahmani Kingdom. Later Bahmani Sultanate was divided into 5 distinguished states, which were collectively known as the Deccan Sultanates. 
  • There were a total of fourteen sultans ruling over this kingdom. Among them, Alauddin Bahman Shah, Muhammad Shah I and Firoz Shah were important. 
  • The Bahmani kingdom reached its peak under the guidance of Mahmud Gawan, who served with great distinction as Prime Minister of three Bahamni Sultans for about twenty-three years from 1458 to 1481 AD.
  • Mahmud Gawan extended the empire by reconquering Goa, which was under the Vijayanagar Empire at the time.