The
Deccan sultanates were five dynasties of various ethnic backgrounds (
Afghan,
Turk,
Mongol etc.) that ruled late
medieval kingdoms, namely,
Bijapur,
Golkonda,
Ahmadnagar,
Bidar, and
Berar in
south-
western India. The Deccan sultanates were located on the
Deccan Plateau, between the
Krishna River and the
Vindhya Range. These kingdoms became independent during the breakup of the
Bahmani Sultanate. In 1490,
Ahmadnagar declared independence, followed by
Bijapur and
Berar in the same year.
Golkonda became independent in 1518 and
Bidar in 1528. In 1510, Bijapur repulsed an invasion by the Portuguese against the city of Goa, but lost it later that year.