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Medieval India question from JKAS Prelims, 2023 by JKPSC

He dominated and extended the Bahmani kingdom further south. He was granted the title ‘Chief of the Merchants’ (Malik-ul-Tujar). He divided the kingdom into eight provinces or tarafs. He was also a great patron of arts and built a magnificent madrassa in the capital, Bidar.

Who was the person referred to above?

Last updated May 13, 2026
Correct Answer: Option C — Mahmud Gawan
Key Contributions of Mahmud Gawan
Administrative Reforms: To curb the power of rebellious local governors, he divided the existing four provinces (tarafs) into eight provinces. He also ensured that some land in every province was managed directly by the central government (Khalisa).

Military Expansion: He successfully extended the kingdom's borders from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal, capturing the strategic port of Goa from the Vijayanagara Empire.

Patron of Learning: A scholar himself, he built the famous Madrasa of Mahmud Gawan in Bidar. This three-story building served as a residential university, housing a massive library of over 3,000 manuscripts.

The Title: He was a Persian merchant by origin, which is why he was honored with the title Malik-ul-Tujar (Chief of Merchants).
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
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JKPSC JKAS 2023 Prelims

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Exam JKPSC
Recruitment JKAS
Stage Prelims
Year 2023
Subject Medieval India
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