Hasan Gangu
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hasan Gangu, also Hansan Kangu with the name Zafar Khan was the founder of the kingdom of Bahmani.[1]. He was a Shia Muslim blessed by a Brahmin by name Gangu. Gangu began his career as a general serving under the Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq. He gained the name Zafar Khan after becoming a governor. In 1347 he was made commander of an army in Daulatabad and with this army he set up the Brahmani Kingdom with its headquarters at Gulbarga.[2]
On establishing an independent kingdom Gangu took the name 'Abul-Muzaffar Ala-ud-din Bahman Shah.[3]. The name Bahmani Kingdom was derived after the Brahmin caste of Gangu (who had blessed Hasan). Another theory was that the name Bahman came from Hasan's claim of descent from the Iranian hero Bahman, which also lead to the dynasty and kingdom having the name Bahmani.[4]
During his reign Hasan fought many wars with Vijayanagar. By the time of his death the kingdom streched from north to south from the Wainganga River to Krishna and east to west from Bhongir to Daulatabad.[5]
He was succeeded as king by his son Muhammad Shah I on his death in 1358.[6]
