FORTS OF INDIA(Gulbarga)
THE fort of Gulbarga in Karnataka is about 363 miles from Bangalore. It was built by Raja Gulchand, but nothing is known about the year of its construction, nor how it passed on to the possession of Mohammed bin Tughluq. The possibility is that when Delhi Sultanate conquered Daulatabad, Gulbarga passed alongwith to their possession. However, we know for certain that Mohammed bin Tughluq conferred the government of Bidar and its dependencies, including Gulbarga,on Nusrat Khan on condition that he pay for it one crore. rupees annually to the Sultan. Little did Nusrat Khan realise that it would be well nigh impossible to fulfil this condition. When he failed to meet the demand, he had no alternative but to revolt and this is what he did. The Sultan ordered Qutlugh Khan, governor of Daulatabad, to chastise the rebel. Nusrat Khan however escaped to Gulbarga, which he forcibly captured from Kundhra, a supporter of the Sultan.
Nusrat Khan was, nevertheless, a weak man. His companions asked Hasan, entitled Zafar Khan, to assume the leadership. Zafar Khan was a capable leader. He proclaimed independence and, in the prevailing general disorder due to the Sultan's weakening authority, captured Daulatabad also. In 1347 he assumed the title of Sikandar-i-Sani Ala-ud-din Hasan Bahman Shah-al-Wali and selected Gulbarga for his capital. He named it Ahasanabad and adorned it with buildings. The court, however, continued to function from Daulatabad. For administrative purposes, Hasan. Bahman Shah divided the kingdom into four provinces, each under a governor. Of these Gulbarga, of prime importance, was governed by Malik Naib (or viceroy) who commanded Sultan Bahman Shah's confidence. Bahman Shah died in 1358 and was succeeded by his son Mohammed I.
Gulbarga continued to play an important role till 1429 when Ahmed Shah shifted his capital to Bidar. With the transfer of the capital, Gulbarga lost its place of pride.
in 1520 Krishnadevaraya of Vijaya- nagar invaded Gulbarga, razed the fortress to the ground and liberated three Bahmani princesses who were imprisoned by Ismail Adil Khan. Later Ali Adil Shah defeated the king of Vijayanagar and took revenge, brought lots of booty and, as per inscriptions, effected repairs in the Gulbarga Fort.
