15th century

In the 15th century, Kolhapur (in present-day Maharashtra, India) was part of the Bahmani Sultanate, one of the major Islamic kingdoms of medieval Deccan. While political control shifted from Delhi to regional Muslim dynasties, Kolhapur remained a Hindu religious center—particularly revered for the Mahalakshmi temple. The city experienced a blended culture, marked by the coexistence of Islamic political governance and Hindu religious traditions.

1. Political Situation

• Kolhapur came firmly under the Bahmani Sultanate (1347–1527 CE), which ruled much of the western Deccan.


• Kolhapur was part of the southern provinces administered by regional governors (possibly from Gulbarga or Bidar).


• The Bahmani Sultanate began fragmenting in the late 15th century, leading to the formation of Deccan successor states such as:




• Bijapur Sultanate (founded 1490 CE), under the Adil Shahi dynasty, which likely absorbed Kolhapur after Bahmani decline.




• There may have been local revolts and power struggles, especially between regional chieftains and new sultanate rulers.

2. Trade and Economy

• Kolhapur’s economy was primarily agrarian but supplemented by:




• Craft production (textiles, metalwork, temple ornaments),


• Pilgrimage-based commerce due to Mahalakshmi temple,


• Trade links to Goa, Bijapur, and Karnataka.




• With the Konkan ports nearby and Goa emerging under Vijayanagara and then Portuguese control, Kolhapur possibly benefited from indirect maritime trade.

3. Urban and Agriculture

• Kolhapur remained a compact temple town, with its core structured around:




• The Mahalakshmi temple,


• Adjoining markets, Brahmin quarters, and pilgrim rest houses.




• Rural areas continued to develop slowly, with village-level irrigation and tank maintenance by local landlords or temple authorities.


• Urban expansion was modest, but religious buildings, stone ghats, and well-maintained tanks are likely to have been constructed or renovated.

4. Language and Inscriptions

• Marathi became dominant in local speech and early administrative use.


• Persian remained the official language of the Bahmani and Adil Shahi courts.


• Inscriptions from this period are fewer but may include:




• Land grants to temples and Brahmins,


• Tax exemption records,


• Mentions of local leaders or merchants supporting temples.

5. Religion and Culture

• Hinduism thrived under regional patronage despite Islamic political rule:




• Worship of Mahalakshmi, Tulja Bhavani, and Shiva continued with vigor.


• Bhakti saints like Namdev and Eknath shaped devotional culture across Maharashtra.




• The Mahalakshmi temple likely saw continuous ritual activity and renovation funded by local devotees.


• The Varkari movement gained momentum, linking Kolhapur with major pilgrimage circuits like Pandharpur.


• Islamic influence was also present through Sufi shrines, mosques, and cultural exchanges in art and architecture.