Top 5 Videos on Bahmani Kingdom for UPSC Medieval History by PW

The Bahmani Kingdom is an important topic in Medieval Indian History for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. For a clear understanding of this topic, you should focus on its foundation, major rulers, administrative system, cultural contributions and conflicts with the Vijayanagar Empire. It is also important to understand the factors behind its decline and the emergence of the five Deccan Sultanates. 

These developments are relevant to both Prelims, which may include factual questions on rulers and kingdoms, and Mains, where you may be asked to analyse the political, administrative and cultural developments of the Deccan region.

PW's Medieval History videos explain these developments through detailed lectures, comparative discussions, and chapter-wise revision. The following five videos cover the Bahmani Kingdom along with related aspects of Vijayanagar history. You can use them to understand the topic, revise important events, and prepare your notes for history-based questions.

Video 1: Revise the Bahmani Kingdom and Vijayanagar Empire in One Shot

This one-shot lecture covers the Bahmani Kingdom and Vijayanagar Empire together. It explains the foundation of the Bahmani Kingdom under Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah, its territorial expansion, the shift of its capital from Gulbarga to Bidar, and its administrative and revenue systems. 

The lesson also discusses major rulers, Mahmud Gawan, the rivalry between Afaqis and Dakhanis, and conflicts with Vijayanagar. It further covers the decline of the Bahmani Kingdom and the emergence of Bijapur, Golconda, Bidar, Berar, and Ahmadnagar.

If you want to revise the topic without switching between multiple lectures, this video can help you connect the major developments in one sequence. Pay attention to the rulers, administrative terms, important conflicts, and the successor states. These points can make your revision notes more useful.

Video 2: Understand the Political and Cultural History of the Bahmani Kingdom

This lecture covers the origins, administration, economy, military organisation, and cultural contributions of the Vijayanagar and Bahmani kingdoms. It explains their political structures, expansion, interactions, and conflicts. Studying both kingdoms together helps you understand their relationship and the wider political developments in medieval South India.

Use this lesson when you want to understand the topic beyond a list of rulers and dates. The comparative explanation can help you organise your notes around administration, military activities, economy, and culture. It is also useful when revising the similarities and differences between the two kingdoms.

Video 3: Study the Bahmani Kingdom and South Indian History in Hindi

This Hindi lecture introduces the rise of the Bahmani Kingdom and Vijayanagar following political changes in the Delhi Sultanate. It also covers Vijayanagar's foundation under Harihara and Bukka, Hampi, its major dynasties, Krishna Deva Raya, military achievements, administration, land revenue, agriculture, and irrigation. References to Portuguese accounts provide additional context for understanding the period.

Hindi-medium students can use this lecture to revise the connected history of South India. While watching, make separate notes for the Bahmani and Vijayanagar kingdoms so that you can easily distinguish their rulers, political developments, and contributions. The explanation is also useful for revising important historical facts.

Video 4: Understand the Rise and Decline of the Bahmanids

This chapter-based lecture covers the Age of Vijayanagara and the Bahmanids. It explains the rise and fall of both kingdoms, their political importance, cultural contributions, and place in medieval Indian history. The chapter approach helps you connect individual events with the larger developments taking place in South India.

If you have already read the basic history of the Bahmani Kingdom, use this video to revise its wider political and cultural importance. It can also help you prepare short notes on the kingdom's rise, decline, and influence on medieval India.

Video 5: Revise the Bahmani Kingdom Through Chapter-Based Explanations

This lecture continues the discussion on Vijayanagara and the Bahmanids, with attention to their political history, rise and decline, and cultural contributions. It places both kingdoms within the wider story of medieval India and helps you revisit their historical significance through connected themes.

You can watch this lesson after completing the previous chapter discussion. Focus on the developments you find difficult to remember and add them to your revision notes. Revisiting the topic through another explanation can help you recall important points and prepare clearer answers.

How to Prepare the Bahmani Kingdom for Medieval History

Watching lectures can make the topic easier to understand, but you should also revise the important facts and practise questions. Follow these steps while preparing:

1. Prepare a timeline: Note the foundation of the Bahmani Kingdom, important rulers, changes in its capital, and major events leading to its decline.

2. Revise the administration: Make short notes on the administrative and revenue systems, including important terms discussed in your lectures.

3. Compare it with Vijayanagar: Study their political relations, conflicts, administration, and cultural developments. This will help you avoid mixing up the two kingdoms.

4. Remember the successor states: Revise the five Deccan Sultanates that emerged after the fragmentation of the Bahmani Kingdom: Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmadnagar, Bidar, and Berar.

5. Practise history questions: Attempt relevant questions after completing the topic. You can use PW's UPSC Prelims Medieval History Questions to check your understanding and practise exam-style questions.

For a wider understanding of the topic, refer to PW's UPSC Prelims History Syllabus, which includes the Vijayanagar and Bahmani kingdoms under Medieval History. You can also revise their place in the broader timeline through the Medieval Empires in India resource.

These five PW videos cover the Bahmani Kingdom through one-shot revision, comparative lectures, Hindi explanations, and chapter-based discussions. They can help you understand its foundation, administration, conflicts with Vijayanagar, cultural contributions, and decline. Watch the lessons alongside your notes, prepare a timeline of major events, and practise relevant history questions to strengthen your preparation for Medieval History.