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Religious Histories- The Bhakti-Sufi Tradition: NBSE Class 12 notes
Get summary, textual answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF to NBSE Class 12 (Arts) History (Themes in Indian History) chapter 7 “Religious Histories: The Bhakti-Sufi Tradition”. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.
Introduction
The Bhakti movement emerged during the medieval period in India as a socio-religious movement aimed at purging Hinduism of its evils and protecting it from the spread of Islam. The movement focused on devotion (Bhakti) as a means to achieve salvation and was propagated by various Hindu saints and reformers like Ramananda, Kabir, Sadna, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Ravidas, and Guru Nanak Dev. The Vaishnava and Shaiva sects of Hinduism particularly adopted this devotional approach. Sufism in Islam also progressed during this period and greatly influenced the lives of people.
Textual traditions regarding religious beliefs are crucial for understanding the history of the Bhakti-Sufi movements. These traditions include contributions from poet-saints who expressed themselves orally in regional languages, with their compositions later compiled by disciples or devotees. However, these sources pose challenges for historians due to their fluid nature and the tendency for later generations to modify or abandon certain ideas.
The Bhakti movement originated in South India and was advocated by Shankaracharya. It gained momentum during the Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526) in response to iconoclastic Muslim preachers who criticised Hinduism and sought to convert Hindus to Islam. In order to defend itself, Hinduism attempted to purge itself of empty rituals, the caste system, and idol worship.
Textual questions and answers
Very Short Answer Type Questions
1. What does Bhakti movement mean?
Answer: The Bhakti movement was a socio-religious movement that aimed to purify Hinduism and save it from the onslaught of Islam.
2. Who were Alvars?
Answer: Alvars were the Tamil poet-saints of South India who devoted themselves to the worship of Vishnu.
3. Who were Nayanars?
Answer: Nayanars were the Tamil poet-saints devoted to the worship of Shiva.
4. Where did the Bhakti movement originate?
Answer: The Bhakti movement originated in South India.
5. What is the meaning of Devotion?
Answer: Devotion refers to a profound dedication or reverence to a deity or god.
Short Answer Type Questions
1. Describe the origin of Bhakti movement.
Answer: The origin of the Bhakti movement can be traced back to the late 7th century CE in the Tamil region of South India. It was initiated by the Alvars (devotees of Vishnu) and Nayanars (devotees of Shiva) who composed devotional hymns in Tamil. This movement later spread to North India and became a significant part of the Indian socio-religious life.
2. How was the Bhakti movement an all-India movement?
Answer: The Bhakti movement was an all-India movement because it transcended regional boundaries and spread across the length and breadth of the country. The movement was initiated in South India by the Alvars and Nayanars and gradually moved to North India. The teachings of saints like Kabir, Guru Nanak, Mirabai, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu reached various parts of India, promoting the ideals of devotion, love, and equality, thus making it a pan-Indian movement.
3. ‘Kabir was and is to the present a source of inspiration for those who questioned entrenched social institutions and ideas in their search for divine.’ Explain.
Answer: Kabir’s teachings questioned the entrenched social institutions and religious orthodoxy. He criticized the caste system, rituals, and the hypocrisy of both Hindu and Muslim religious leaders. Kabir’s emphasis on a personal devotion to a formless god and his use of the vernacular language made his teachings accessible to the common people. His couplets and songs continue to inspire those who seek to challenge social inequalities and search for a direct connection with the divine.
4. “Sufism evolved as a reaction to the growing materialism of the Caliphate as a religious and political institution.” Elucidate.
Answer: Sufism evolved as a reaction to the growing materialism and formalism of the Caliphate. The Sufis sought a direct and personal experience of God, emphasizing the inner, mystical path over external religious practices and political power. They stressed on love, devotion, and the annihilation of the self to achieve union with the divine, thus providing an alternative to the rigid and materialistic practices of the time.
5. “In the late 12th century, the Chishtis adapted to the local environment and adopted features of Indian devotional traditions.” Explain.
Answer: In the late 12th century, the Chishti Sufi order in India adapted to the local environment by incorporating elements of Indian devotional traditions. They adopted practices such as singing of devotional songs (Sama), which resonated with the local culture. The Chishtis also engaged in acts of charity, service to humanity, and lived simple lives, which endeared them to the local population and helped in the spread of their teachings.
Long Answer Type Questions
1. Describe the salient features of the Bhakti movement.
Answer: During the medieval period, southern as well as northern India witnessed the growth of many socio-religious movements. They aimed at purging Hinduism of its evils and saving it from the onslaught of Islam. A series of Hindu saints and reformers started religious reform movements which adopted the method of devotion (Bhakti) to achieve salvation. The methods of expression of devotion ranged from the routine worship of deities within temples, and singing and chanting of devotional compositions. This was particularly true of the Vaishnava and Shaiva. Thus began the Bhakti movement. The most famous and popular among the reformers were Ramananda, Kabir, Sadna, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Ravidas, and Guru Nanak Dev. The Bhakti movement greatly influenced the social, religious, cultural, and political life of the people. Like the Bhakti movement, Sufism in Islam also progressed during the medieval period. Sufism also greatly influenced the lives of the people.
2. Describe the effects of Bhakti movement on Indian society during the medieval period of the Indian history.
Answer: The Bhakti Movement was one of the greatest socio-religious reform movements in Indian history. Its influence spread all over India and had far-reaching political, economic, and social effects.
Religious Effects:
- Saved Hinduism: The Bhakti movement saved Hinduism from degeneration. Many evils had crept into Hinduism, making it unpopular. The movement condemned the caste system, untouchability, and wasteful rituals, restoring Hinduism to its ancient glory.
- Lowered the Prestige of the Brahmanas: The Bhakti Movement reduced the importance of the Brahmanas, who emphasized empty rituals and superstitions. The reformers condemned these evils, lowering the Brahmanas’ status.
- Places of Pilgrimage Increased: Many places developed into pilgrimage centres due to the Bhakti movement. Followers established buildings, monasteries, shrines, temples, and gurdwaras, connected with the lives of saints and reformers.
- Setback to Buddhism: The Bhakti movement further weakened Buddhism, which was already declining. It gave great impetus to Hinduism, leading many Buddhists to revert to Hinduism.
- Checked the Propaganda of Islam: The Bhakti movement checked the spread of Islam by adopting some of its tenets, such as the unity of God and condemnation of idol worship and the caste system.
- Emergence of Sikhism: The Bhakti movement led to the birth of Sikhism. Guru Nanak Dev and his successors preached the doctrines of the movement, eventually leading to the establishment of the Khalsa Panth in 1699.
Social and Cultural Impact:
- Improvement in Social Relations between Hindus and Muslims: The Bhakti movement improved social relations between Hindus and Muslims. Reformers preached amity and tolerance, reducing mutual bitterness.
- Broadened People’s Outlook: The movement developed a broad outlook among the people, condemning superstitions and blind faith in rituals. Reformers preached that God blessed those who performed good deeds.
- Promoted the Spirit of Social Service: Bhakti reformers encouraged donations for the welfare of the poor and disabled, creating a spirit of social service among the people.
- Uplifted Lower Classes: Reformers condemned the caste system and untouchability, accepting people of low castes as followers and raising their status and prestige.
- Development of Composite Art: The movement led to the development of Hindu-Muslim art, creating a spirit of religious toleration. Artists from both communities developed a mixed style of architecture.
- Enrichment of Literature: The Bhakti movement enriched literature in various languages, leading to significant progress in Sanskrit, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, and Hindi.
Political Effects:
- Influenced the Religious Policy of Akbar: Influenced by the Bhakti reformers, Akbar adopted a policy of religious toleration, abolished Jazia, and gave religious freedom to Hindus.
- Rise of Sikhs and Marathas as Political Powers: The Bhakti movement led to the rise of Sikhs and Marathas as political forces. In Punjab, the movement gave birth to the Sikh religion, while in Maharashtra, it encouraged Shivaji to establish a Hindu kingdom.
3. Describe briefly the ideas of the Chishti and Suhrawardi orders of Sufism.
Answer: The Ideas of the Chishti Order:
- The Chishti order was established in India by Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti, who came to India from Persia in the 12th century.
- The Chishtis believed in the concept of Wahdat-ul-Wujud (Unity of Being), which emphasized the oneness of God and the unity of all creation.
- They practiced extreme asceticism and devotion to God. They led simple and austere lives, often wearing coarse woolen garments (Sufi means “wool”).
- The Chishtis emphasized love and devotion to God as the means to attain union with Him. They believed that music and poetry could be used to express and inspire devotion to God.
- The Chishti saints established khanqahs (Sufi hospices) where they lived, meditated, and taught their disciples. These khanqahs became centers of spiritual learning and social service.
- The Chishtis believed in serving humanity, and they often engaged in feeding and helping the poor and needy. They believed that serving others was a way of serving God.
- The Chishti saints also believed in the importance of seeking guidance from a spiritual mentor (pir or murshid) and the need for a strong bond between the disciple (murid) and the mentor.
The Ideas of the Suhrawardi Order:
- The Suhrawardi order was founded by Sheikh Bahauddin Zakariya in Multan, Punjab, in the 13th century.
- The Suhrawardi order emphasized the importance of Sharia (Islamic law) and the adherence to the external practices of Islam. They believed that following the Sharia was essential for spiritual progress.
- The Suhrawardis believed in the importance of both the external and internal aspects of Islam. They emphasized the need for a balance between outward observance of religious practices and inner spiritual development.
- The Suhrawardi saints believed in the concept of Fana (annihilation of the self) and Baqa (subsistence in God). They taught that the self must be annihilated in order to attain union with God and that true spiritual life begins after this union.
- The Suhrawardis established khanqahs as centers of spiritual learning and practice. These khanqahs were places where disciples could receive spiritual training and guidance.
- The Suhrawardi saints believed in the importance of knowledge and learning. They often engaged in teaching and writing, and they produced a rich body of Sufi literature.
- The Suhrawardis also believed in the importance of serving humanity. They engaged in various forms of social service, such as feeding the poor and helping the needy.
4. Examine the influence of the Sufism on the social, religious and cultural life of the people.
Answer: The influence of Sufism on the social, religious, and cultural life of the people was profound and far-reaching. Sufism, with its emphasis on love, devotion, and the inner spiritual life, had a significant impact on various aspects of society.
Social Influence:
- Sufism promoted social equality and inclusiveness. Sufi saints preached that all human beings were equal in the eyes of God, regardless of their caste, creed, or social status. This message resonated with people from different backgrounds and helped to bridge social divides.
- The khanqahs (Sufi hospices) and dargahs (Sufi shrines) served as centers of social welfare and community service. They provided food, shelter, and medical care to the needy and the destitute, regardless of their religious or social background.
- Sufi saints emphasized the importance of compassion, kindness, and service to humanity. They encouraged their followers to engage in acts of charity and social service, which helped to create a sense of community and social responsibility.
Religious Influence:
- Sufism emphasized the importance of inner spirituality and personal devotion to God. This focus on the inner life helped to deepen the religious experience of individuals and encouraged a more personal and direct relationship with the Divine.
- Sufi teachings and practices often incorporated elements from local religious traditions, leading to a syncretic form of worship that was accessible and appealing to a broad audience. This inclusiveness helped to foster religious tolerance and mutual respect among people of different faiths.
- The Sufi practice of zikr (remembrance of God) and sama (spiritual music and dance) provided new forms of devotional expression that were embraced by people from diverse religious backgrounds. These practices helped to create a sense of unity and shared spiritual experience.
Cultural Influence:
- Sufism had a significant impact on the cultural life of the people, particularly in the areas of literature, music, and art. Sufi poetry, with its themes of divine love and longing for union with God, became a major genre of literary expression. Poets like Rumi, Hafiz, and Amir Khusro made lasting contributions to the literary heritage of the Islamic world.
- Sufi music, especially the qawwali tradition, became an important part of the cultural life of the Indian subcontinent. Qawwali performances, with their powerful and emotive renditions of devotional poetry, attracted large audiences and became a popular form of spiritual and cultural expression.
- Sufi architecture, with its distinctive styles and features, contributed to the development of Islamic art and architecture. The construction of khanqahs, dargahs, and mosques patronized by Sufi saints and their followers left a lasting legacy on the architectural landscape of the region.
5. Examine how and why rulers tried to establish connections with the traditions of the Nayanars and the Sufis.
Answer: During the medieval period, rulers tried to establish connections with the traditions of the Nayanars and the Sufis for several reasons:
Connections with the Nayanars:
- The Nayanars were a group of Tamil saint-poets who were devoted to the worship of Lord Shiva. Their hymns and devotional songs were widely popular among the masses in South India.
- Rulers sought to establish connections with the Nayanars to gain legitimacy and acceptance among their subjects. By associating themselves with the popular religious traditions of the Nayanars, rulers could strengthen their authority and rule.
- The rulers built temples and patronized the construction of shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, which were often associated with the Nayanar saints. This patronage helped to promote the rulers’ image as devout and pious leaders.
- The rulers also supported the composition and compilation of Nayanar hymns and devotional literature. This patronage helped to preserve and disseminate the religious traditions of the Nayanars.
- By aligning themselves with the Nayanar tradition, rulers could also promote social cohesion and unity among their subjects. The Nayanar tradition emphasized devotion to Lord Shiva and the importance of bhakti (devotion), which resonated with the religious sentiments of the people.
Connections with the Sufis:
- Sufism was a mystical Islamic tradition that emphasized love, devotion, and the inner spiritual life. Sufi saints and their teachings were widely respected and revered by people from all walks of life.
- Rulers sought to establish connections with the Sufis to gain spiritual legitimacy and moral authority. By associating themselves with respected Sufi saints, rulers could enhance their image as just and righteous leaders.
- The rulers patronized the construction of Sufi khanqahs (hospices) and dargahs (shrines) where Sufi saints lived and were buried. These sites became centers of pilgrimage and spiritual learning, attracting large numbers of devotees.
- The rulers also sought the blessings and spiritual guidance of Sufi saints. It was believed that the prayers and blessings of Sufi saints could bring prosperity and success to the rulers and their kingdoms.
- By supporting Sufi institutions and traditions, rulers could also promote social harmony and cohesion. Sufism emphasized the universal values of love, compassion, and tolerance, which resonated with people of different religious and cultural backgrounds.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Sufism is the coined word of the 19th century of:
A. Arabic
B. Persian
C. English
D. Urdu
Answer: C. English
2. Match the right pairs and select the right option.
| Saints 1. Ravidas 2. Kabir 3. Dhanna 4. Sena 5. Pipa | Caste i. Jat ii. Rajput iii. Barber iv. Cobbler v. Weaver |
A. 1-(iv), 2-(v), 3-(i), 4-(iii), 5-(ii)
B. 1-(iii), 2-(ii), 3-(iv), 4-(v), 5-(i)
C. 1-(i), 2-(iii), 3-(iv), 4-(v), 5-(ii)
D. 1-(v), 2-(iii), 3-(ii), 4-(i), 5-(iv)
Answer: A. 1-(iv), 2-(v), 3-(i), 4-(iii), 5-(ii)
3. State which of the following statements is incorrect?
A. Kabir was unique among the saint poets that emerged in the 14th-15th century.
B. Guru Nanak was born in a Hindu family of traders.
C. Mirabai is a famous poetess of the Bhakti Tradition.
D. Shankardev Shaiv emerged in the 14th-15th century in Gujarat for the spread of religion.
Answer: D. Shankardev Shaiv emerged in the 14th-15th century in Gujarat for the spread of religion.
4. Khwaja Muinuddin’s dargah is known as –
A. Garib Nawaz
B. Garib Khana
C. Shah Nawaz
D. Nawaz dargah
Answer: A. Garib Nawaz
5. Which Mughal Emperor went to Khwaja Muinuddin’s durbar 14 times?
A. Babur
B. Humayun
C. Akbar
D. Shah Jahan
Answer: C. Akbar
Competency-Based Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Given below are the places in which the Bhakti movement originated and spread across the country. Arrange them in the correct chronological order.
(i) Assam
(ii) Karnataka
(iii) Tamil Nadu
(iv) Maharashtra
Options:
(a) (i), (iv), (iii), (ii)
(b) (ii), (iii), (i), (iv)
(c) (iii), (ii), (iv), (i)
(d) (iv), (i), (ii), (iii)
Answer: (c) (iii), (ii), (iv), (i)
2. Find out the correct chronological order of ‘the Chishti Silsila’ from the following options:
I. Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya
II. Shaikh Fariduddin Ganj – Shakar
III. Shaikh Nasiruddin Chiragh-i Delhi
IV. Shaikh Muinuddin Sijzi
Options:
(a) I, II, III and IV
(b) II, III, IV and I
(c) III, II, I and IV
(d) IV, II, I and III
Answer: (d) IV, II, I and III
3. Identify and name the preceptor or Guru of the Sikh community whose works and contributions are given below:
I. He laid the foundation of the Khalsa Panth.
II. He bestowed the Sikhs with five distinct symbols.
III. He consolidated the community as a socio-religious and military force.
IV. He compiled the compositions of the ninth guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur in Guru Granth Sahib.
Options:
(a) Guru Arjan Dev
(b) Guru Gobind Singh
(c) Guru Angad
(d) Guru Teg Bahadur
Answer: (b) Guru Gobind Singh
4. Read the following statements regarding Kabir and select the appropriate option:
I. Kabir was a nirguna saint.
II. He believed in formless supreme God.
III. He wanted to remove the differences based on caste and religion.
IV. He condemned the superstitious cults and ritualism.
Options:
(a) I and II
(b) I, II and III
(c) I, II, III and IV
(d) II and IV
Answer: (c) I, II, III and IV
5. Arrange the following in chronological order and select the correct option from the given options:
(i) Guru Gobind Singh
(ii) Guru Arjan Dev
(iii) Guru Har Krishan Dev
(iv) Guru Nanak Dev
Options:
(a) (i), (iv), (iii), (ii)
(b) (ii), (iii), (iv), (i)
(c) (iii), (i), (ii), (iv)
(d) (iv), (ii), (iii), (i)
Answer: (d) (iv), (ii), (iii), (i)
Case-based Questions
1. Read the following passage and give answers to the questions:
A visitor from Deccan in the 18th century in his book Muraqqa-i-Delhi writes about the shrine of Nasiruddin Chirag-i-Delhi.
Each Sufi shrine was associated with some distinctive features. Dargah Quli Khan, a visitor from the Deccan, wrote about the shrine of Nasiruddin Chiragh-i-Delhi in his Muraqqa-i-Delhi (Album of Delhi) in the 18th century: “The Shaikh (in the grave) is not the lamp of Delhi but of the entire country. People turn up there in crowds, particularly on Sunday. In the month of Diwali, the entire population of Delhi visits it and stays in tents around the spring tank for days. They take baths to obtain cures from chronic diseases. Muslims and Hindus pay visits in the same spirit. From morning till evening, people come and also make themselves busy in merry-making in the shade of the trees.”
1. How and when did the people pay homage to Nasiruddin Chiragh-i-Delhi Shrine?
Answer: People turn up there in crowds, particularly on Sunday. In the month of Diwali, the entire population of Delhi visits it and stays in tents around the spring tank for days.
2. Why did the people take bath in the spring tank?
Answer: They take baths to obtain cures from chronic diseases.
3. When and where did the people make them busy in merry-making?
Answer: From morning till evening, people come and also make themselves busy in merry-making in the shade of the trees.
2. Read the following case carefully and answer the following questions:
In the late fifteenth century, Shankaradeva emerged as one of the leading proponents of Vaishnavism in Assam. His teachings, often known as the Bhagavati dharma because they were based on the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana, focused on absolute surrender to the supreme deity, in this case Vishnu. He emphasised the need for naam kirtan, recitation of the names of the lord in sat sanga or congregations of pious devotees. He also encouraged the establishment of satra or monasteries for the transmission of spiritual knowledge, and naam ghar or prayer halls. Many of these institutions and practices continue to flourish in the region. His major compositions include the Kirtana-ghosha.
(i) Shankaradeva became a proponent of:
(a) Sufism
(b) Vaishnavism
(c) Buddhism
(d) Jainism
Answer: (b) Vaishnavism
(ii) Which of the following were features of Bhagvati dharma?
(a) Naam kirtan
(b) Devotion of Vishnu
(c) Transmission of spiritual knowledge
(d) All of the Above
Answer: (d) All of the Above
(iii) What was the major contributions of Shankaradeva?
(a) Kirtana-Ghosha
(b) Establishment of Satra
(c) Formation of Char Dhams
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer: (d) Both (a) and (b)
(iv) The teaching in Bhagavati Dharma were based on:
(a) Bhagvata Purana
(b) Bhagvata Gita
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) Neither (a) nor (b)
Answer: (c) Both (a) and (b)
Extra/additional questions and answers
1. What was the aim of the socio-religious movements during the Medieval period in India?
Answer: The aim of the socio-religious movements during the Medieval period in India was to purge Hinduism of its evils and save it from the onslaught of Islam.
2. What method did the Bhakti movement adopt to achieve salvation?
Answer: The Bhakti movement adopted the method of devotion (Bhakti) to achieve salvation.
3. Name some famous and popular reformers during the Bhakti movement.
Answer: Some famous and popular reformers during the Bhakti movement were Ramananda, Kabir, Sadna, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Ravidas, and Guru Nanak Dev.
4. How did Sufism influence people’s lives during the medieval period?
Answer: Sufism influenced people’s lives by preaching the unity of God, brotherhood of mankind, and opposing priesthood and caste system, thus attracting the low caste Hindus to Islam.
Q. What are the textual traditions regarding religious beliefs?
Answer: The textual traditions regarding religious beliefs are a valuable source for the reconstruction of the history of Bhakti-Sufi movements. They include contributions attributed to poet-saints who expressed themselves orally in regional languages used by ordinary people. These compositions were usually set to music and were compiled by disciples or devotees, generally after the death of the Poet Saint.
Q. Explain the causes of the birth of the Bhakti Movement.
Answer: The causes of the birth of the Bhakti Movement include:
- Evil practices of the Hindus: Hinduism lost its pristine purity and grandeur during the medieval period, and many evils crept in it, which led to the emergence of the Bhakti movement to reform it.
- Influence of Vaishnavism: The Gupta period witnessed the origin of Vaishnavism, which spread the ideas of Bhakti and produced much literature in the Tamil language.
- Fear of Spread of Islam: The spread of Islam indirectly contributed to the spread of the Bhakti movement in India, as the Muslim rulers attempted to forcibly convert the Hindus to Islam.
- Influence of Sufi Sects: Sufism was a Muslim reform movement that preached the union of the human soul with God through devotion and love of mankind, which greatly influenced the Bhakti reformers.
- Emergence of Great Reformers: Prominent Bhakti reformers like Ramanujacharya, Vallabhacharya, Jaideva, Namdev, Ravidas, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Ramanand, Surdas, Tulsidas, Mirabai, Kabir, and Guru Nanak Dev severely condemned the evils in the Hindu society and preached the path of love and devotion to God.
Q. Discuss the impact of the Bhakti movement on the social, religious, cultural, and political life of the people during the Medieval period.
Answer: The Bhakti movement greatly influenced the social, religious, cultural, and political life of the people during the Medieval period. It aimed at purging Hinduism of its evils and saving it from the onslaught of Islam, resulting in a series of Hindu saints and reformers starting religious reform movements that adopted the method of devotion (Bhakti) to achieve salvation. The methods of expression of devotion ranged from the routine worship of deities within temples, and singing and chanting of devotional compositions, particularly true of the Vaishnava and Shaiva. This movement led to the production of religious literature in regional languages, which helped in making religious ideas more accessible to the common people.
The Bhakti movement also brought about changes in the social structure by breaking down the rigidity of the caste system and promoting the idea of equality and brotherhood among people. The reformers from various social backgrounds played a crucial role in questioning and challenging the existing caste hierarchy and social norms. They emphasized on a direct relationship between the devotee and God, which undermined the power and authority of the priestly class.
Culturally, the Bhakti movement inspired the production of various forms of art, including poetry, music, and dance, all of which were means of expressing devotion to the divine. The influence of the Bhakti movement can be seen in the works of poets like Kabir, Surdas, Tulsidas, and Mirabai, who composed poems and songs in praise of God in their regional languages. These compositions continue to be an integral part of the Indian cultural heritage.
Politically, the Bhakti movement provided a platform for the marginalized sections of society to voice their concerns and seek social and religious equality. This led to the growth of various sects and sub-sects that challenged the orthodox Brahmanical order and contributed to the emergence of new social and political dynamics. The movement also facilitated a better understanding and tolerance between Hindus and Muslims, as it shared similarities with Sufism, a parallel Islamic reform movement that preached the unity of God, brotherhood of mankind, and the importance of love and devotion in achieving spiritual enlightenment. Overall, the Bhakti movement left a profound impact on the social, religious, cultural, and political life of the people during the Medieval period in India.
Q. How was the process of integrating various cults evident in Puri, Orissa?
Answer: In Puri, Orissa, the process of integrating various cults was evident through the principal deity, Jagannatha, meaning the Lord of the world, a form of God Vishnu. A local deity, whose image was made by local tribal specialists, was recognized as a form of Vishnu, but at the same time, Vishnu was depicted in a way that was quite different from that in other parts of the country.
Q. What was the process of integrating goddess cults into the Puranic framework?
Answer: The process of integrating goddess cults into the Puranic framework involved incorporating local deities, which were worshipped in the form of a stone smeared with red ochre, into the Puranic framework by giving them an identity as a wife of the principal male deities. These goddesses were equated with Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu, and with Parvati, the wife of Shiva.
Q. What are the two broad categories of Bhakti traditions?
Answer: The two broad categories of Bhakti traditions are Saguna (with attributes) and Nirguna (without attributes). Saguna Bhakti includes traditions that believed in the worship of specific deities such as Shiva, Vishnu, and his Avtaras (incarnations) and forms of the goddess or Devi. Nirguna Bhakti, on the other hand, is the worship of an abstract form of god.
Q. Who were the Alvars and Nayanars?
Answer: The Alvars and Nayanars were leaders of the Bhakti movements in southern India during the 6th century. The Alvars were devotees of Vishnu, while the Nayanars were devotees of Shiva. They traveled from place to place, singing hymns in Tamil in praise of their gods, and later built large temples at many identified shrine sites.
Q. How did the Alvars and Nayanars approach the caste system?
Answer: Some historians believe that the Alvars and Nayanars started a movement of protest against the caste system and the dominance of Brahmans or at least made efforts to reform them. This view is supported by the fact that these Bhakti reformers came from diverse social backgrounds, including lower classes such as cultivators, artisans, and “untouchables”. They claimed that their compositions were as important as the Vedas and held their text as significant as the four Vedas in Sanskrit cherished by the Brahmans.
Q. Describe the role of women in the Alvar and Nayanar sects.
Answer: A striking feature of the Alvar and Nayanar sects was the presence of women. For example, one of the Alvars, Andal, was a woman of lower caste, and the fact that she was later accepted as a religious leader in a caste-ridden male-dominated society is greatly to the credit of the Bhakti movement. Another woman, Karaikkal Ammaiyar, was a devotee of Shiva and belonged to the Nayanar sect. These women did not care for their social obligations and their compositions were a challenge to the patriarchal tradition.
Q. How did the Bhakti movement interact with the state in the Tamil region?
Answer: Although Jainism and Buddhism were prevalent in the Tamil region and received occasional royal patronage and support from merchants and artisans, powerful rulers from the 9th to 13th centuries supported Brahmanical and Bhakti traditions by making land grants and constructing Vishnu and Shiva temples. The most magnificent temples, like the Shiva temples at Chidambaram, Thanjavur, and Gangaikondacholapuram, were constructed under the patronage of Chola rulers. The Chola kings introduced the singing of Tamil Shaiva hymns in the temples they patronized, collected the Nayanar hymns, and organized them into a Chola text. They also consecrated metal images of Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar in a Shiva temple, which were carried in procession during the festivals of these Bhakti saints.
Q. Briefly explain the Bhakti movement and its origin.
Answer: The Bhakti movement is an influential spiritual and social movement in Hinduism, emphasizing single-minded devotion and love to the Supreme God. It originated in the worship of Shiva and Vishnu and has its genesis in the ideas preached by Shiva Nayanars and Alvars in the 5th and 6th centuries in South India.
Q. What are the two avatars of Vishnu that became popular during the Bhakti movement?
Answer: Rama and Krishna.
Q. Describe the teachings of Vallabhacharya.
Answer: Vallabhacharya was one of the greatest saints of the Krishna cult of Vaishnavism. He taught the doctrine of devotion to one personal and loving God, looking upon Krishna as the Supreme Being. He believed that love and devotion for Krishna can bring one to a mental and spiritual condition in which they can feel and see the eternal sport of Krishna with Gopas and Gopis, with cows, beasts, birds, trees, rivers, and other objects of Brindavan. His followers worshipped the image of Krishna in temples with elaborate ceremonies like ringing of bells, washing of His image in the morning, dressing Him with new clothes, and performing arati, etc.
Q. Explain the contribution of Sri Chaitanya to the Bhakti movement.
Answer: Sri Chaitanya was one of the greatest saints of the Bhakti movement. Born in a learned Brahmin family of Nadia in Bengal in 1485, he founded Vaishnavism in Bengal and preached the religion of one God under the name of Krishna. Chaitanya laid stress upon perfect devotion to God as the only way to salvation. He made extensive travels and his followers included Hindus from the lower classes of society and even some Muslims. Chaitanya condemned the caste system and preached the brotherhood of man, with his disciples beginning to worship him as the incarnation of Sri Krishna or, more precisely, Radha and Krishna united into one personality.
Q. Describe Ramananda’s teachings and his impact on the Bhakti movement.
Answer: Ramananda was a famous Vaishnava teacher who made extensive travels in India and settled at Benaras. He preached most of the religious ideas that his teacher Ramanuja had preached in the south. Ramananda laid more emphasis on devotion to God and simplification of the method of worship. He substituted the worship of Sita Ram in place of Laxmi Narain. Ramananda allowed Sudras to become his disciples and participate in religious functions almost on equal terms with higher castes, permitted women to pursue religious thought and practice, and preached through the language of the people, Hindi. He insisted that his disciples should eat and drink together irrespective of caste and creed. Ramananda preached two great principles: perfect love for God and human brotherhood. His disciples spread his message of Bhakti throughout India.
Q. Who were the Nayanars and Alvars, and what was their role in the Bhakti movement?
Answer: The Nayanars and Alvars were devotees of Shiva and Vishnu, respectively, who preached the Bhakti ideas in South India during the 5th and 6th centuries. Their role in the Bhakti movement was to promote single-minded devotion and love for the Supreme God through their teachings.
Q. What were the major teachings of Ramananda?
Answer: Ramananda’s major teachings included:
- Perfect love for God: He emphasized the importance of devotion to God and simplifying the method of worship.
- Human brotherhood: He preached that all people were servants of God and, therefore, brothers.
- Inclusivity: He allowed people from lower castes and women to become his disciples and participate in religious functions on equal terms with higher castes.
- Preaching in the vernacular: He was the first Vaishnav teacher to preach in the language of the people, Hindi, making his teachings more accessible to the masses.
Q. Describe the life and teachings of Kabir.
Answer: Kabir was born in the 15th century and is believed to have been the son of a Hindu widow but was brought up by a Muslim weaver named Neeru. He married and became a weaver himself but eventually became the most famous disciple of Ramananda. Kabir’s teachings focused on three main objectives:
- Achieving inward spiritual bliss: He believed in one formless God and rejected both the Vedas and the Quran.
- Condemning empty rituals: He opposed the meaningless rites and ceremonies of Hindus and Muslims and emphasized the unity of God and the path of love and devotion.
- Fostering harmony between Hinduism and Islam: He stressed the necessity of a Guru or spiritual guide under whose instructions one can acquire knowledge about God.
Kabir’s teachings had a profound effect on the masses, and his followers, known as Kabir Panthis, continue to exist in India. The Sikh Gurus also gave prominence to his hymns in the Adi Granth, the most sacred book of the Sikhs.
Q. What is the significance of Ravidas in the Bhakti movement?
Answer: Ravidas was born at Benaras in the 14th century and belonged to a lower caste known as Chammar. Despite being a cobbler, he gained recognition as a significant figure in the Bhakti movement. His teachings emphasized the recitation of God’s Name and purity of mind, as well as the belief that God was all-pervading and within everyone. Ravidas was proud of his caste and profession and attracted followers from higher classes in society. His role in the Bhakti movement showcases the inclusivity and accessibility of the movement, as it transcended social hierarchies and castes.
Q. What was Guru Nanak Dev’s philosophy and goal for mankind?
Answer: Guru Nanak Dev’s philosophy was simple but very meaningful and impressive. According to him, the goal of man is union with God, which implies complete freedom from transmigration, i.e., freedom from the endless cycle of birth and death.
Q. How did Guru Nanak Dev contribute to the emancipation of women?
Answer: Guru Nanak Dev stood for the emancipation of women by declaring that women were in no way inferior to men and had equal responsibilities. He sympathized with the suffering women and gave them full share in the worship of God. Religious congregations were thrown open to them, they were allowed to partake freely in secular and religious observances, and no social custom was to hinder them from doing so.
Q. Describe the impact of Guru Nanak Dev’s preaching on society, as stated by Gokal Chand Narang.
Answer: Gokal Chand Narang beautifully sums up the impact of Guru Nanak Dev’s preaching on society, stating that Guru Nanak left the Hindus of Punjab immensely better than he had found them. Their beliefs were ennobled, their worship purified, the rigidity of caste considerably relaxed, their minds greatly emancipated, and they had become more fit to enter the career of natural progress to which Nanak’s successors were destined to lead them. Guru Nanak’s contributions improved the moral and spiritual tone of the people and his work in the field of social and religious reform was equally significant.
Q. List the religious effects of the Bhakti Movement.
Answer: The religious effects of the Bhakti Movement were:
- Saved Hinduism: The Bhakti movement saved Hinduism from degeneration and restored it to its ancient glory, preventing its decline.
- Lowered the Prestige of the Brahmanas: The movement lowered the importance and prestige of the Brahmanas in Hindu society by condemning the caste system, untouchability, and wasteful rituals.
- Places of Pilgrimage Increased: The Bhakti movement led to the development of many centers of pilgrimage, including monasteries, shrines, temples, and gurdwaras.
- Setback to Buddhism: The Bhakti movement gave a further blow to Buddhism, which was already on decline, as many Buddhists reverted to Hinduism.
- Checked the Propaganda of Islam: The movement considerably checked the spread of Islam by adopting many tenets of Islam and promoting universal brotherhood of mankind.
- Emergence of Sikhism: The most significant and permanent effect of the Bhakti movement was the birth of Sikhism, which established its separate identity and led to the creation of the Khalsa Panth.
Q. How did the Bhakti Movement influence the social relations between Hindus and Muslims?
Answer: As a result of the Bhakti Movement, social relations between Hindus and Muslims improved considerably. Kabir and Guru Nanak Dev preached amity and tolerance between the two communities, emphasizing that both were creations of the One True Lord and were brothers. This developed social intercourse between the communities and lessened their mutual bitterness, leading to the development of a new culture that was neither exclusively Hindu nor purely Muslim.
Q. How did the Bhakti Movement influence the religious policy of Akbar?
Answer: The Bhakti Movement influenced the religious policy of Akbar by promoting religious toleration towards his subjects. He abolished Jazia on Hindus, entered into matrimonial relations with them, appointed them to high jobs, and gave them religious freedom. The voices of Kabir and Nanak spoke through his policies and created a storm in the orthodox circles.
Q. What was the political effect of the Bhakti Movement on the rise of Sikhs and Marathas?
Answer: The Bhakti Movement led to the rise of Sikhs and Marathas as political forces. In Punjab, the movement led by Guru Nanak Dev and his successors gave birth to the Sikh religion, which later established an independent kingdom. In Maharashtra, the movement created a spirit of unity among the Marathas, encouraging Shivaji to establish a Hindu kingdom and declare himself an independent and sovereign ruler.
Q. List the five pillars of Islam.
Answer: The five pillars of Islam are: (1) Belief in one God Allah and Muhammad as his prophet, (2) offering prayers five times daily (Namaz), (3) giving alms to the poor (Zakat), (4) fasting during the month of Ramzan (Sawam), (5) making pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj).
Q. What were some universal features of Muslim practices and some variations influenced by local customs?
Answer: Universal features of Muslim practices include belief in one God, offering daily prayers, giving alms to the poor, fasting during Ramzan, and making pilgrimage to Mecca. However, variations existed due to the influence of Sunni and Shia sects, and local customs of converts from different social backgrounds. For instance, Khojas, a branch of Ismailis, introduced new modes of communication through local art, music, and literature. Arab Muslim traders settled along the Malabar coast adopted Malayalam, local marriage practices, and inheritance customs. Mosque architecture also blended universal features like orientation towards Mecca and the Minbar with variations in roofs and building materials.
Q. Explain the meaning and origin of the term ‘Sufism’.
Answer: Sufism is a sect of Muslim theologians that left a significant impact on Indian society. The term ‘Sufi’ is generally used for a Muslim sage or saint. The word used for Sufism in Islamic texts is ‘Tasawwuf’. Its origin is debated, with some suggesting it comes from ‘Safa’ (purity), others connecting it to ‘Saff’ (rank), and others deriving it from ‘saff’ (wool) or ‘sofia’ (wisdom).
Q. Name the four important Sufi orders (Silsilas) in India during the medieval period.
Answer: The four important Sufi orders in India during the medieval period were the Chishti, Suhrawardi, Qadiri, and Nakshbandi.
Q. What was the first saint of the Chishti order in India, and where did he come from?
Answer: The first saint of the Chishti order in India was Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti, popularly called the Khwaja. He came to India from Ghazni around AD 1192.
Q. Describe the significance of Baba Farid of Multan in the Chishti order.
Answer: Baba Farid of Multan was the most popular saint of the Chishti order. He wandered far and wide in Muslim countries but ultimately settled at Pakpattan (now in Pakistan). His mission was far less sectarian than other Chishtis, and he was highly revered by the Sikhs. Some of his verses are the earliest specimens of Punjabi poetry, and his beautiful sedate verses were incorporated in the Adi Granth by Guru Arjan Dev.
Q. Explain the differences between the Chishti and Suhrawardi Sufi orders.
Answer: The Chishti and Suhrawardi Sufi orders differed in their religious practices and attitudes towards secular activities. The Suhrawardi Sufis took greater care of their families, devoted more time to the upbringing and training of their sons, and believed that living in luxury and active participation in political affairs were not hindrances to spiritual progress. They held high offices in the government, maintained contact with the royal court, and kept aloof from the masses. On the other hand, the Chishtis declined all kinds of gifts from officials, did not accept state service, led an austere and simple life, and conversed with the people in their dialect. Additionally, the Chishtis attached much significance to music or Sama for spiritual attainments, while the Suhrawardis were against it.
Q. Provide an overview of the Qadiri and Naqashbandi Sufi orders in India.
Answer:
- The Qadiri Silsila was founded by Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani of Baghdad in the twelfth century AD. This sect was brought to India by Sayed Muhammad, who settled at Uch in Sindh. The best-known saint of the Qadiri sect in Punjab was Hazrat Mian Mir, who laid the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar.
- The Naqashbandi Silsila originated in Central Asia in the beginning of the 13th century. Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty, was a devotee of Naqashbandi saint Khwaja Abdullah Ahrar. In India, the Naqashbandi Silsila was started by Khawaja Baqi Billah. One of the Naqashbandi saints, Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi, was an orthodox Muslim and opposed Mughal emperor Akbar’s policy of religious toleration.
Q. How did Sufism attract Hindus to Islam?
Answer: Sufism attracted Hindus to Islam by adopting peaceful methods, learning Hindi, becoming conversant with Hindu customs and ceremonies, and treating everyone kindly in the shrines of the Sufis without any distinction of caste or creed.
Q. What role did Sufism play in the cultural intermingling of Hindus and Muslims?
Answer: Sufism played a significant role in the cultural intermingling of Hindus and Muslims by exhibiting religious toleration towards Hindus, which led to increased cultural and social interaction between the two communities. Sufi saints learned Hindi, respected Hindu religious practices, and borrowed some practices from Hindu Yogis. Hindus visited Sufi shrines where they were treated equally with Muslims, and both communities started adopting each other’s ceremonies and celebrating festivals in common.
Q. How did Sufism uplift the destitute and downtrodden?
Answer: Sufism uplifted the destitute and downtrodden by considering it their religious and moral duty to help these sections of society, and inspiring rulers and the wealthy to follow their example by providing assistance to the poor and the needy.
Q. Explain the contribution of Sufism to the development of regional languages and Urdu.
Answer: Sufi Shaikhs wrote poetry in Urdu, contributing to the development of Urdu literature and making it the lingua franca of the people. They also wrote in the languages of the areas they settled in, making their sacred literature popular among both Hindus and Muslims living in those territories. For example, Sheikh Farid wrote poetry in Saraiki (Lehndi) Punjabi, and his verses were incorporated in the Adi Granth by Guru Arjan Dev. Sufi literature also influenced Hindi language.
Q. What was the impact of Sufism on the number of pilgrimage sites and the progress of art and architecture in India?
Answer: Sufism led to a rise in the number of pilgrimage sites as the tombs and shrines of Sufi saints became places of pilgrimage for Muslims. This also contributed to the progress of art and architecture, as devotees built magnificent tombs and shrines for Sufi saints, like the shrine of Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti at Ajmer, the tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti at Fatehpur Sikri, and that of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya at Delhi.
36. How did Sufism become an all-India movement?
Answer: Sufism became an all-India movement as it spread all over India, including the Deccan during the reign of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq. The Sufis used similar methods to those of early Christian missionaries, employing the local language to propagate their ideas and establishing Khanqahs to maintain contact with people. Their work was not limited to Muslims; they sought to spread Islam among Hindus, particularly those of the lower castes. In some Muslim sections, they were more popular than the Mullas, leading to the Sultans granting rent-free lands to the Khanqahs and their Shaikhs.
Extra/additional MCQs
1. What did the socio-religious movements aim to achieve during the Medieval period in India?
A. Purify Hinduism B. Spread Christianity C. Promote Sufism D. Save Hinduism from Islam
Answer: D. Save Hinduism from Islam
2. What method was adopted by the Bhakti movement for salvation?
A. Gyan B. Karma C. Bhakti D. Yoga
Answer: C. Bhakti
3. Which movement in Islam paralleled the Bhakti movement during the medieval period?
A. Sunni B. Shia C. Sufism D. Wahhabism
Answer: C. Sufism
4. Who was the founder of Sikhism among the famous Bhakti reformers?
A. Ramananda B. Kabir C. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu D. Guru Nanak Dev
Answer: D. Guru Nanak Dev
5. What was the primary language of the religious literature produced by Vaishnavism?
A. Sanskrit B. Hindi C. Tamil D. Bengali
Answer: C. Tamil
Q. Which Muslim reform movement greatly influenced the Bhakti reformers?
A. Salafism B. Sufism C. Kalam D. Ahmadiyya
Answer: B. Sufism
Q. Which period witnessed the origin of Vaishnavism in India?
A. Vedic period B. Mauryan period C. Gupta period D. Mughal period
Answer: C. Gupta period
Q. Which of these is NOT an incarnation of Vishnu according to Vaishnavism?
A. Rama B. Krishna C. Buddha D. Shiva
Answer: D. Shiva
Q. What was the primary aim of Sufi sects?
A. Spread Islam B. Establish Islamic rule C. Union of human soul with God D. Build mosques
Answer: C. Union of human soul with God
Q. Which Hindu saint is associated with the Bhakti movement in South India?
A. Ramanuja B. Shankaracharya C. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu D. Vallabhacharya
Answer: A. Ramanuja
Q. Who was the great reformer that gave the Bhakti Movement a solid philosophical background?
A. Kabir B. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu C. Ramanand D. Shankaracharya
Answer: D. Shankaracharya
Q. What was the Bhakti cult initially known as?
A. Bhagvad Gita B. Ekantika Dharma C. Universal Brotherhood D. Emotional Worship
Answer: B. Ekantika Dharma
Q. Who led the Bhakti Movement in East India (modern Uttar Pradesh)?
A. Guru Nanak Dev B. Tukaram C. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu D. Tulsidas
Answer: C. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Q. What was the principal deity of Puri (in Orissa) identified as by the 12th century?
A. Shiva B. Parvati C. Jagannatha D. Lakshmi
Answer: C. Jagannatha
Q. Who were the local goddesses frequently equated with?
A. Ishwar B. Allah C. Lakshmi and Parvati D. Krishna and Rama
Answer: C. Lakshmi and Parvati
Q. What was the language of the heart that God understands according to the Bhakti reformers?
A. Sanskrit B. Hindi C. Love D. Urdu
Answer: C. Love
Q. What did the Bhakti reformers preach regarding the caste system?
A. Supported it B. Opposed its rigidity C. Ignored it D. Reinforced it
Answer: B. Opposed its rigidity
Q. Which aspect of worship did the leaders of the Bhakti Movement emphasize?
A. Rituals B. Emotional Worship C. Fasts D. Sacrifices
Answer: B. Emotional Worship
Q. What was the main focus of “Ekantika Dharma”?
A. Rituals and ceremonies B. Single-minded love and devotion C. Caste system D. Idol worship
Answer: B. Single-minded love and devotion
Q. What were the two processes at work in the integration of various cults during 8th to 18th centuries?
A. Spreading of Christianity and Islam B. Spreading of Brahminical ideas and reworking of beliefs C. Conquest and colonization D. Political alliances and trade
Answer: B. Spreading of Brahminical ideas and reworking of beliefs
Q. Which two broad categories do historians classify Bhakti traditions into?
A. Saguna and Nirguna B. Shaivism and Vaishnavism C. Alvars and Nayanars D. Vishnu and Shiva
Answer: A. Saguna and Nirguna
Q. Who were the Alvars?
A. Devotees of Shiva B. Devotees of Vishnu C. Followers of Jainism D. Followers of Buddhism
Answer: B. Devotees of Vishnu
Q. What is the significance of Divyaprabhandham?
A. Tamil Veda B. Sanskrit Veda C. Jain Text D. Buddhist Text
Answer: A. Tamil Veda
Q. Who was Andal?
A. A male Alvar B. A female Alvar C. A male Nayanar D. A female Nayanar
Answer: B. A female Alvar
Q. Who was the founder of the Lingayat sect?
A. Sankara B. Ramanuja C. Basavanna D. Appar
Answer: C. Basavanna
Q. What did the Lingayat sect reject?
A. The authority of the Vedas B. Worship of Shiva C. Worship of Vishnu D. Reincarnation
Answer: A. The authority of the Vedas
Q. What is another name for the Lingayat movement?
A. Saguna movement B. Nirguna movement C. Virashaiva movement D. Alvar movement
Answer: C. Virashaiva movement
Q. What language are Vachanas composed in?
A. Tamil B. Sanskrit C. Kannada D. Telugu
Answer: C. Kannada
Q. What did the Alvars and Nayanars claim about their compositions?
A. They were less important than the Vedas B. They were as important as the Vedas C. They were insignificant D. They should be destroyed
Answer: B. They were as important as the Vedas
Q. What sect did Karaikkal Ammaiyar belong to?
A. Alvar B. Nayanar C. Lingayat D. Virashaiva
Answer: B. Nayanar
Q. Who founded the Vaishnava sect known as ‘Sad Vaishnavism’?
A. Ramanuja B. Nimbka C. Madhava D. Ramananda
Answer: C. Madhava
Q. Who was the founder of Vaishnavism in Bengal?
A. Ramanuja B. Vallabhacharya C. Sri Chaitanya D. Ramananda
Answer: C. Sri Chaitanya
Q. Which saint has been described as “the bridge between the Bhakti movement of the south and that of the north”?
A. Ramanuja B. Ramananda C. Kabir D. Chaitanya
Answer: B. Ramananda
Q. Which language did Ramananda use to preach his teachings?
A. Sanskrit B. Brijbhasha C. Hindi D. Telugu
Answer: C. Hindi
Q. Who was the most famous disciple of Ramananda?
A. Kabir B. Mirabai C. Namdeva D. Ravidas
Answer: A. Kabir
Q. Which saint emphasized the need for Kirttan in Assam?
A. Shankaradeva B. Ramanuja C. Madhava D. Vallabhacharya
Answer: A. Shankaradeva
Q. Who was born in a Hindu widow’s family but brought up by a Muslim weaver?
A. Ravidas B. Namdeva C. Kabir D. Ramananda
Answer: C. Kabir
Q. What profession did Ravidas belong to?
A. Cobbler B. Barber C. Weaver D. Butcher
Answer: A. Cobbler
Q. Which saint’s hymns are included in the Adi Granth, the most sacred book of the Sikhs?
A. Ravidas B. Kabir C. Namdeva D. Ramananda
Answer: B. Kabir
Q. Who composed Bhajans addressed to Krishna and wrote lyrics in the Brij Bhasha language?
A. Ramanuja B. Ramananda C. Mirabai D. Namdeva
Answer: C. Mirabai
Q. What was the primary goal of a man according to Guru Nanak Dev?
A. Wealth B. Knowledge C. Union with God D. Power
Answer: C. Union with God
Q. What did Guru Nanak Dev preach regarding the worship of gods?
A. Worship multiple gods B. Worship one Supreme Being C. Worship goddesses only D. Worship ancestors
Answer: B. Worship one Supreme Being
Q. What position did Guru Nanak Dev take on the emancipation of women?
A. Inferior to men B. Equal to men C. Superior to men D. Undefined
Answer: B. Equal to men
Q. Which movement played a significant role in saving Hinduism from degeneration?
A. The Karma Movement B. The Enlightenment Movement C. The Bhakti Movement D. The Renaissance Movement
Answer: C. The Bhakti Movement
Q. What was the effect of the Bhakti Movement on the prestige of the Brahmanas?
A. Increased B. Unchanged C. Lowered D. Enhanced
Answer: C. Lowered
Q. Which religion was born as a result of the Bhakti Movement?
A. Buddhism B. Jainism C. Sikhism D. Zoroastrianism
Answer: C. Sikhism
Q. What did the Bhakti Movement do to the spread of Islam?
A. Encouraged B. Checked C. Ignored D. Promoted
Answer: B. Checked
Q. How did the Bhakti Movement affect social relations between Hindus and Muslims?
A. Worsened B. Improved C. No effect D. Complicated
Answer: B. Improved
Q. What was the impact of the Bhakti Movement on the caste system and untouchability?
A. Reinforced B. Ignored C. Criticized D. Supported
Answer: C. Criticized
Q. Which aspect of culture was developed as an indirect result of the Bhakti Movement?
A. Composite Art B. Dance C. Music D. Theater
Answer: A. Composite Art
Q. Which Mughal Emperor adopted a policy of religious toleration influenced by the Bhakti Movement reformers?
A. Babur B. Aurangzeb C. Akbar D. Shah Jahan
Answer: C. Akbar
Q. Who led the Bhakti Movement in Punjab, which eventually gave birth to the Sikh religion?
A. Guru Tegh Bahadur B. Guru Gobind Singh C. Guru Nanak Dev D. Guru Angad Dev
Answer: C. Guru Nanak Dev
Q. Which Mughal ruler abolished Jazia on Hindus and granted them religious freedom?
A. Babur B. Humayun C. Akbar D. Jahangir
Answer: C. Akbar
Q. Who declared himself an independent and sovereign ruler and assumed the title of Chhatrapati in 1674?
A. Sambhaji B. Shivaji C. Rajaram D. Balaji Vishwanath
Answer: B. Shivaji
Q. What was the law governing the Muslim community, based on the Quran and the hadis?
A. Ijma B. Qiyas C. Fiqh D. Shariyat
Answer: D. Shariyat
Q. Which language did Arab Muslim traders adopt along the Malabar coast in India?
A. Tamil B. Kannada C. Telugu D. Malayalam
Answer: D. Malayalam
Q. What is the essence of Sufi faith?
A. Rituals B. Wealth C. Union of the human soul with God D. Power
Answer: C. Union of the human soul with God
Q. What do Sufis believe about God’s residence?
A. Temples B. Mosques C. Minds of human beings D. Mountains
Answer: C. Minds of human beings
Q. What is the term used for a religious guide in Sufism?
A. Sheikh B. Murid C. Murshid D. Khalifa
Answer: C. Murshid
Q. Which practice is used by Sufis to induce a state of ecstasy and bring them closer to their goal of union with God?
A. Fasting B. Meditation C. Singing and Dancing D. Physical exercise
Answer: C. Singing and Dancing
Q. Which four Sufi orders were important during the medieval period in India?
A. Chishti, Suhrawardi, Qadiri, Nakshbandi B. Chishti, Suhrawardi, Qadiri, Shatri C. Chishti, Suhrawardi, Qadiri, Jogis D. Chishti, Suhrawardi, Qadiri, Ahrar
Answer: A. Chishti, Suhrawardi, Qadiri, Nakshbandi
Q. Who was the first saint of the Chishti order in India?
A. Shaikh Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki B. Shaikh Friduddin Ganj-i Shakar C. Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya D. Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti
Answer: D. Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti
Q. Which Sufi saint is highly revered by the Sikhs?
A. Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti B. Baba Farid C. Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya D. Nasiruddin Chirag Delhvi
Answer: B. Baba Farid
Q. What was the large building where the saint or murshid and his disciples or murids resided called?
A. Khanqah B. Jamait Khana C. Silsila D. Darbar
Answer: A. Khanqah
Q. Who founded the Suhrawardi Silsila in India? A. Shahabuddin B. Jalaluddin Surukhposh C. Sayyad Jalaluddin D. Makhdum Bahauddin Zakriya
Answer: D. Makhdum Bahauddin Zakriya
Q. Who laid the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar?
A. Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani B. Sayed Muhammad C. Hazrat Mian Mir D. Khawaja Baqi Billah
Answer: C. Hazrat Mian Mir
Q. Which Sufi saint was opposed to Mughal emperor Akbar’s policy of religious toleration?
A. Khwaja Abdullah Ahrar B. Shaikh Ahmed Sirhindi C. Babur D. Khawaja Baqi Billah
Answer: B. Shaikh Ahmed Sirhindi
Q. What was the other name for Hazrat Saidi Ahmed?
A. Sakhi Sarvar B. Lakhdatta C. Shah Abdullah Shatri D. Both A and B
Answer: D. Both A and B
Q. Which language was used by Sufi saint Baba Farid for his compositions?
A. Hindi B. Punjabi C. Urdu D. Dakhni
Answer: B. Punjabi
Q. What type of Sufi poetry was composed in and around the town of Bijapur in Karnataka?
A. Masnavis B. Dakhni C. Turinama D. Shadinama
Answer: B. Dakhni
Q. Which Delhi Sultan established a separate department called Diwan-i-Khairat to look after the welfare of the widows, orphans, the crippled, and the poor?
A. Iltutmish B. Muhammad Tughlaq C. Firoze Shah Tughlaq D. Sikandar Lodhi
Answer: C. Firoze Shah Tughlaq
Q. What language did Sufi Shaikhs write poetry in, which greatly helped in the development of its literature?
A. Hindi B. Punjabi C. Urdu D. Bengali
Answer: C. Urdu
Q. Which Sufi saint wrote poetry in Saraiki (Lehndi) Punjabi, and had his verses incorporated in the Adi Granth by Guru Arjan Dev?
A. Shaikh Farid B. Shaikh Salim Chishti C. Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya D. Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti
Answer: A. Shaikh Farid
Q. Which type of Sufi literature means “Uttered” and consists of conversations of Sufi saints?
A. Malfuzat B. Mktubat C. Tazikaras D. Kashf-u-Mahjub
Answer: A. Malfuzat
Q. The tomb of which Sufi saint is located in Fatehpur Sikri?
A. Shaikh Farid B. Shaikh Salim Chishti C. Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya D. Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti
Answer: B. Shaikh Salim Chishti
Q. Which Sufi saint’s conversations were compiled by Amir Hasan Sijzi, Dehlvi in Fawaid-al-Fu’ad?
A. Shaikh Farid B. Shaikh Salim Chishti C. Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya D. Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti
Answer: C. Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya
Q. What term is used for biographical accounts of Sufi saints?
A. Malfuzat B. Mktubat C. Tazikaras D. Kashf-u-Mahjub
Answer: C. Tazikaras
Q. Who is the author of the most famous tazkira, Akhbar-ul-Akhyar?
A. Abdul Haqq Muhaddis Dehlavi B. Amir Hasan Sijzi, Dehlvi C. Ali bin Usman Hujwiri D. Guru Arjan Dev
Answer: A. Abdul Haqq Muhaddis Dehlavi
Q. Which type of Sufi literature consists of collections of letters written by Sufi saints addressed to their disciples and associates?
A. Malfuzat B. Mktubat C. Tazikaras D. Kashf-u-Mahjub
Answer: B. Mktubat
79. The shrine of which Sufi saint is located in Ajmer?
A. Shaikh Farid B. Shaikh Salim Chishti C. Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya D. Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti
Answer: D. Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti
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