The relief from the Imperial authority could not affect the architecture of the handful of Muslims. Earlier region was under the rule of the Delhi Sultans and they were bound to follow the tradition of the Khaljis and Tughluqs. But, the change of the Imperial authority could not make them adopt the indigenous Indian art-Hemadpanti, Chalukyan and Dravidian-which dominated throughout the region.

The Bahmanis followed the opposite tradition. They continued to follow the tradition of the Imperial capital for another fifty years. As Muhamad-bin-Tughluq transferred his capital to Daulatabad and then back to Delhi, the artisans migrated to Bijapur and their two styles of architecture, the Persian and that of Delhi got a new fusion style. Moreover, all the Bahmani kings were great patrons of scholars, artists, poets, many of who migrated from distant lands particularly Persia from where the founder of the Bahmani dynasty had come as an adventurer. Thus, the Persian style of architecture affected them greatly. And this influence is apparently visible in the Jama Masjid at Gulbarga, Chand Minar at Daulatabad and Gawan`s Madrasa at Bidar. The Persian architects as well as their artisans planned all these architectures. However, the military architecture i, e, forts etc were modeled on medieval European style. The Turkish military experts who took service under the Bhamani ruler built those forts. Thus, under the Bahmanis, the Deccan style of architecture with its unique style developed in Bijapur.

A large number of buildings were built by Ala-ud-din Bahman in his capital Gulbarga. These include the Jama masjid and the Bala Hisar, which is almost in ruins now. The Jama Masjid was built under the supervision of a Quazwini architect, Ran, which is a unique structure. To protect the devotees from the rain and sun, the whole area is roofed and there is no open courtyard. The high dome of it is unique of its kind and was constructed on a high square clerestory over the niche of the sanctuary. The architectures, which can be seen, also include the monuments of Gulbarga such as the royal tombs. In 1425 AD, when and Shah Wali transferred his capital to Bidar, he constructed a large number of buildings like forts, palaces, mosques and tombs in his new capital. But unfortunately, most of the palace buildings such as the Rangin Mahal, Gagan Mahal, Chini Mahal and Nagin Mahal are now broken. The beauty of these architectures can be realized from the remaining parts of the palaces like the wonderful takhtkhana, the throne hall and Shahburi, the royal palace mosques and Masjid, which are built in the traditional orthodox style with open courtyard. However, the well-known Madrasa built in 1472 AD by the Persian scholar Mahmud Gawan, minister of Muhammad Shah III is the most valuable one among all the architectures. This building has three stories consists of lecture halls, a library, a mosque and residential houses for teachers and students. The pattern of the Persian University such as the Rajasthan at Samarqand is followed to build these architectural beauties.

One of the famous visitors of the Bidar in 1861, Sir Richard Temple said, "The bastions of the fortress had a rich colouring subdued by age, being built of the red laterite of which the hills are there formed. The style of the mosque was grand and severe, quite different from the polished and graceful manner of the Moghul architects in later times. The chief object of beauty in the place was the college. The extensions of the building had once been covered with exquisitely coloured glazing in floral devices of which there was still much remaining to delight the spectator. The building is perhaps the finest of its kind surviving in India."

During the Bahmani rule, most of the forts were rebuilt and modified to make them suitable for their defensive requirement. The introduction of artillery in the wars made it necessary. Many covered passages and bastions were provided in these forts. Few forts like the Gulbarga, Daulatabad, Gawilgarh, Narnala, Parenda, Raichur, etc were built at strategic places keeping in mind the defensive issue in mind.

The architectural works of the Bahmani rule also include some idgahs. These idgahs had some interesting features and Dr Z A Desai also referred to these features of the idgahs built at Daulatabad, Gulbarga, Bidar and Kovilkonda. A parapet cresting and a dome in the middle above the central prayer-niche were provided in these idgahs. The prayer niches were provided in the walls. The former were set in within tier of lofty arches.

The Bahmani period had also seen few of the exquisite tombs. These tombs built in that period looked like the Tughluqs and the only difference was the steeple of the tombs. These tombs had a square structure on a platform with sloping or battered walls, giving an impression of solidity and mass, low flat domes, tall and narrow arched doorways. The use of enameled tile work is also visible. The use of perforated screens or jalis increased the beauty of those structures. Few of the significant tombs of the Bahmani period include those of Ala-ud-din Hasan, Muhammad I and Muhammad II at Gulbarga and the tomb of Hazrat Zain-ud-din at Khuldabad etc.

One of the most important architectural works of the Bahmani period is the great monument of South India, the Gol gumbaz in Bijapur in the state of Karnataka. The Gol Gumbaz is the tomb of Muhammad Adil Shah II (1627-57), a famous Adil Shahi ruler of Bijapur. This tomb is a huge square structure, which measures about 50 meter on each side and encloses a huge hall. The memorial of Mohammad Adil Shahi and those of his close relatives can be seen in the centre of the hall. The real tombs can be seen in the basement below to reach there the staircase under the western entrance is used. The second largest dome after the St Peter`s dome in Rome is also situated on the top of this famous Gol Gumbaj, which has a diameter of 37.9 meter in diameter.

There are four domed octagonal towers surrounding this huge building. There are seven stories in each tower and the upper floor of each opens onto a round gallery, which surrounds the dome. These have spiral staircases, which leads to `the whispering gallery`. It is called so because sound reflections from the dome allow the slightest of whispers to be heard even when one stands across the dome from each other. And the surprising fact is that even the smallest sound can be heard across a distance of 37 meters in the whispering gallery and this reflects the wonderful acoustical system in the dome. The nine feet thick and 100 feet high walls of this historical architectural work are of grey basalt and decorated with plaster. A spectacular view of the city of Bijapur can be enjoyed from the walls of this monument. Now, it is regarded as one of the amazing architectural wonder and treasure of Bijapur.

Another well-known architecture of Bahmani period is the Nagar Khana, which has now become a museum, which contains some of the most beautiful Chinese porcelain, armoury, parchments, carpets, and paintings.

The Ibrahim Rauza is another great contribution of the Bahmani rulers in the field of architecture. The term `Rauza` actually means garden. This was built by the ruler Ibrahim and it is believed that his wife, Taj sultana was first buried in a dark chamber here, where the only source of light is through a pierced stone window. The square shaped area of it contains the tombs of Ibrahim Adil Shah and his family. It is famous for its proportion, minarets, stonework, calligraphic inscriptions, parapets, etc. The gardens of the Ibrahim Rauza are cool and green and are enclosed within walls, which are interspersed with gateway. This one reflects the style and art of the architecture of the Bahmanis.

Jama Masjid of Bijapur is one more example of the expertise of Bahmani rulers in the field of architecture.

It is situated at almost one kilometer away from the famous Gol Gumbaz. It was built at the time of Adil Shahi rule in 1576 AD. It is counted among one of the most beautiful mosques of South India, which has an area of nearly 10, 81o square meter. Total 33 domes can be seen around this monument and the eastern side of the mosque has an entrance gate with rooms on either side.