Fathullah Imad-ul-Mulk

Fathullah Imad-ul-Mulk (Persian: فتح الله عماد الملک, ruled 1490–1504) was the founder of the Imad Shahi Dynasty and the Berar Sultanate.

Originally a Hindu captive from Vijayanagara, Fathullah was brought up as a Deccani Muslim and rose to command the army of Berar under the Bahmani Sultanate.

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.

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.