Who among the following was granted the title of ‘Chief of the Merchants’ or Malikut-Tujjar by the Bahamani ruler, Humayun Shah?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) Mahmud Gawan.

• Mahmud Gawan was a prominent Persian scholar, administrator, and statesman in the Bahmani Sultanate, a kingdom in South India that existed from the 14th to the 16th centuries.
• He arrived in India as a trader and quickly gained favor due to his vast knowledge and administrative skills.
• Sultan Humayun Shah, recognizing Gawan's abilities, honored him with the title Malikut-Tujjar, meaning "Chief of the Merchants." This title reflected his importance in overseeing trade and commerce, especially foreign trade, for the Bahmani Sultanate.
• Gawan introduced key administrative reforms to streamline revenue collection and encouraged the growth of trade with foreign lands, which brought prosperity to the kingdom.
• His strategies improved state finances, bolstered the economy, and fortified the Bahmani state's political standing.
  

Information Booster:

About the Bahmani Kingdom

Establishment:

• Founded in:1347 AD
  
• Founder:Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah (originally known as Hasan Gangu)
• Capital: Initially Gulbarga (also called Ahsanabad), later shifted to Bidar in 1425 AD.

Historical Background:

• The Bahmani Kingdom was the first independent Muslim kingdom in the Deccan.
• It emerged after breaking away from the Delhi Sultanate during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
• The kingdom was established with the goal of creating a stable Islamic rule in the Deccan region.

Territorial Extent:

• Covered major parts of present-day Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Bordered the Vijayanagara Empire, with whom it had frequent conflicts.

Key Rulers and Contributions:

Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah (1347–1358):

• Founder of the dynasty.
• Established the foundation of Bahmani administrative structure.

Muhammad Shah I (1358–1375):

• Strengthened the kingdom and expanded territory.
• Fought with the Vijayanagara Empire.

Firoz Shah Bahmani (1397–1422):

•  Known for patronage of arts and architecture.
• Promoted Persian culture and literature.

Ahmad Shah Wali (1422–1436):

• Shifted capital from Gulbarga to Bidar.
• Patron of Sufi saint Khwaja Gesu Daraz.
• Patron of Sufi saint Khwaja Gesu Daraz.