Amir 'Ali Barid Shah

(?-1602)

   The founder of the Barid Shahi dynasty of Bidar was the son of a Bahmani noble of Turkish origin, Qasim Barid. As suggested by the word Barid in his name, Qasim had perhaps served in his early career as a messenger (barid) for some time. He eventually rose to the position of chief wazir in the Bahmani kingdom. On Qasim's death in 1505, this office and the designation Barid were inherited by his son 'Ali. On the death of the last Bahmani Sultan Ahmad Shah (1518-1520), 'Ali Barid became the virtual ruler of Bidar. In 1528, after the surviving scion of the Bahmani dynasty escaped from Bidar to Bijapur, 'Ali Barid declared himself the sultan of Bidar with the title Amir 'Ali Barid Shah. He ruled for the next 70 years, that is, until 1601-1602.