Under the Bahmani kingdom, the provinces were administered by ________.

The correct answer is Tarafdars.

Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Understanding the Administrative Setup of the Bahmani Kingdom: The Bahmani Sultanate, established in 1347 CE in the Deccan region of India, developed a structured administrative system to manage its vast territory.
2. Division into Provinces (Tarafs): Under the reign of Muhammad Shah I and later reorganized extensively by the famous Wazir (Prime Minister) Mahmud Gawan, the Bahmani kingdom was divided into distinct provinces, which were known as Tarafs.
3. Role of the Provincial Governors: Each of these provinces (Tarafs) was placed under the control of a governor. These provincial governors were called Tarafdars. They held significant military, judicial, and administrative authority within their respective provinces.
4. Analyzing the Options:
- Tarafdars: Governors of the provinces (Tarafs) who administered provincial territories. (Correct)
- Afaquis: A social/political group in the Bahmani Sultanate consisting of foreign immigrants (mostly from Persia, Central Asia, and Iraq), as opposed to the native Deccanis.
- Khalisa: Refer to crown lands or land directly administered by the central government, rather than the governors.
- Amirs: A general term for nobles or high-ranking military commanders in the sultanate.

Therefore, under the Bahmani kingdom, the provinces (Tarafs) were administered by the Tarafdars.