Special Lecture on the Cultural and Literary Contribution of Mahmud Gawan

The Department of History and Kannada, Faculty of Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and Languages, Khaja Bandanawaz University, Kalaburagi, organized a Special Lecture on the Cultural and Literary Contribution of Mahmud Gawan in the Seminar Hall of the PG Building 05^th March 2026 at 11 a m.  The program aimed to highlight the historical importance, literary contributions, and cultural legacy of Mahmud Gawan, one of the most distinguished ministers of the Bahamani Sultanate.

The program began with a Welcome Speech delivered by B.A. Fourth Semester student Nausheen Saniya, who warmly welcomed the guests, faculty members, and students. As a mark of respect and gratitude, the invited speakers were honored with flower bouquets and the University logo by the organizers.

The event continued with the recitation of Kirat by Ammara Sadaf, a student of M.A. English Second Semester. The recitation created a respectful and spiritual atmosphere at the beginning of the academic program.

Following this, the Introductory Speech was delivered by Dr. Sanganagouda Hiregoudar, who explained the objectives of organizing the lecture. He highlighted the historical significance of Mahmud Gawan and emphasized the importance of conducting such academic events to help students understand the cultural and intellectual contributions of important historical personalities. He also appreciated the joint initiative taken by the Department of History and Kannada to organize this program.

The Guest Introduction session was conducted by students. Md Zaid, a B.A. Fourth Semester student, introduced Mr. Riyaz Ahmad Bode, highlighting his academic and literary contributions. MD Rizwan then introduced Dr. Azim Pasha, describing his work as a prominent literary personality and scholar.

The first keynote address was delivered by Mr. Riyaz Ahmad Bode. In his speech, he discussed the early life of Mahmud Gawan in Iran, explaining how he initially arrived in India as a trader. He described the remarkable journey of Mahmud Gawan from being a foreign merchant to becoming the Prime Minister of the Bahamani Sultanate. Mr. Bode also spoke in detail about the cultural contributions of Mahmud Gawan in the Deccan region, his literary works, and his role in promoting intellectual activities. He further explained the relationship between Mahmud Gawan and Sufi saints, emphasizing the spiritual and cultural environment that influenced the society of that period.

The second lecture was delivered by Dr. Azim Pasha, a well-known literary figure. In his address, he focused on the loyalty and dedication of Mahmud Gawan toward the Bahamani rulers. He remarked that “if loyalty has a name, it is Mahmud Gawan.” Dr. Pasha highlighted the administrative ability, honesty, and commitment shown by Mahmud Gawan while serving as the minister. He also elaborated on Mahmud Gawan’s contribution to the development of education in the Deccan region, particularly through the establishment of the famous Mahmud Gawan Madrasa at Bidar. This institution played a crucial role in making Bidar an important center of learning and scholarship during the Bahamani period. Dr. Pasha also stressed the need for students and scholars to study and understand the historical contributions of Mahmud Gawan in shaping the cultural and educational history of the region.

The Presidential Address was delivered by Prof. Nishat Arif Hussaini, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and Languages. In her speech, she spoke about the significant role played by Mahmud Gawan in the development of the education in Deccan region. She highlighted his contributions to social welfare, administration, and education. She also appreciated the efforts of the Department of History and Kannada for organizing such an informative academic event and encouraged the department to continue conducting similar programs in the future for the benefit of students and researchers.

The program concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Ayesha Anjum, a B.A. Second Semester student. She expressed gratitude to the distinguished speakers, the Dean, faculty members, organizing committee, and students for their active participation and support in making the event successful.

Overall, the event was highly informative and beneficial for students as it provided valuable insights into the historical, cultural, and educational contributions of Mahmud Gawan and enhanced the academic environment of the university. Organizing Secretary were Dr. Sanganagouda, Dr. Aslam Walikar, Dr. Raja Patel and Mr. Yogesh Rathod.