Fathullah was born a
Kanarese Hindu of the
Brahmin caste, but was captured as a boy by Bahmani forces on an expedition against the
Vijayanagara Empire and brought up as a Muslim. He served the Bahmani Sultans in
Bidar. Through the influence of
Mahmud Gavan, he achieved the rank of officer in command of the forces (
Sarlaskar) of Berar and received the title
Imad-ul-mulk. He was stationed at the fort of
Gawilghur, but extended his influence over the entire East Berar, becoming de facto ruler of the region. Shortly after
Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah I declared independence for the
Ahmadnagar Sultanate in 1490, Fathullah Imad-ul-mulk declared himself
Sultan of Berar. He set up his capital in
Achalpur and proceeded to annex
Mahur to his new kingdom. He also fortified
Gavilgad and
Narnala. He was succeeded by his eldest son
Aladdin Imad Shah. ==References==