The Bahmani Sultanate, established in 1347 CE by Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah after its separation from the Delhi Sultanate, marked the beginning of an independent Indo-Islamic political tradition in the Deccan. Its capitals, Gulbarga (Ahsanabad) and later Bidar, emerged as important urban centres reflecting the political ambitions, military strategies, economic prosperity, religious diversity, and architectural innovations of the Bahmani rulers. These cities not only served as administrative headquarters but also became centres of culture, trade, education, and craftsmanship, significantly influencing the pattern of medieval urbanisation in the Deccan. Gulbarga became the first capital of the Bahmani Sultanate and remained so from 1347 to about 1425 CE. Its location was strategically selected because of its central position within the expanding kingdom, facilitating effective military control and administrative coordination. The city was situated in a fertile region with access to agricultural hinterlands that supported its population and supplied essential resources. The urban layout of Gulbarga displayed the characteristics of a fortified medieval Islamic city. Massive stone fortifications surrounded the city, with thick defensive walls, bastions, moats, and multiple gates ensuring protection against enemy invasions. The fort occupied the central position and functioned as the nucleus of political and military activities. Within the fort were royal palaces, administrative offices, armouries, granaries, and residential quarters for nobles and soldiers. One of the most distinctive architectural features of Gulbarga was its Jama Masjid, constructed during the reign of Muhammad Shah I. Unlike many open courtyard mosques, the Jama Masjid of Gulbarga had a completely covered prayer hall with numerous domes and arches, reflecting Persian and Central Asian architectural influences adapted to local conditions. The mosque symbolised both the religious authority and political legitimacy of the Bahmani rulers. Gulbarga was also an important centre of Sufi culture. The shrine of the famous Chishti saint Hazrat Khwaja Bande Nawaz Gesu Daraz became one of the most revered religious institutions in the Deccan after his arrival from Delhi. His dargah attracted pilgrims, scholars, mystics, and merchants, contributing to the city's economic and cultural vitality. The presence of Sufi institutions encouraged social integration and facilitated interactions among different religious communities. The city demonstrated the fusion of Persian, Turkish, and indigenous Deccan traditions. Persian served as the official language of administration, while local languages such as Kannada, Marathi, and Telugu flourished among the population. This multicultural environment promoted literary production, artistic creativity, and intellectual exchange. Economically, Gulbarga functioned as an administrative and commercial centre. Markets supplied agricultural products, textiles, horses, metal goods, spices, and luxury items. Artisans specialised in masonry, metalwork, pottery, weaving, and jewellery. The city's prosperity depended on both state patronage and regional trade networks connecting the Deccan with western coastal ports. Water management formed an essential feature of urban planning. Tanks, wells, reservoirs, and canals supplied drinking water and supported gardens and public facilities. These hydraulic structures reflected the rulers' concern for sustaining a growing urban population in the semi-arid Deccan environment. Despite its significance, Gulbarga faced certain limitations. Its distance from some eastern territories of the expanding Bahmani kingdom and its military vulnerability prompted Sultan Ahmad Shah I to shift the capital