The Bhakti and Sufi movements stand as hallmark phenomena in the tapestry of medieval Indian history, serving as conduits for spiritual renewal, social cohesion, and cultural synthesis. The UPSC Prelims Topic Wise Questions on this subject delve into the nuanced aspects of these movements, exploring their origins, key figures, doctrines, and impacts on society. From the ecstatic devotion of the Bhakti saints to the mystical pursuits of Sufi mystics, each thread weaves a rich narrative of religious pluralism and syncretism. These questions not only test aspirants’ understanding of historical events but also their ability to discern the profound socio-religious transformations that shaped medieval India. Through engaging with these inquiries, candidates unravel the intricate layers of medieval history, gaining insight into the spiritual fervor that transcended societal boundaries and laid the foundation for a pluralistic Indian ethos.
Q1. Assertion (A) The sponsor and the most prominent figure of the Chisti order of Sufis in India is Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti.
Reason (R) The Chisti order takes its name from a village Chisti in Ajmer.
In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct? (1997)
Codes
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Ans. (c)
While A is accurate, R is incorrect. Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti is indeed recognized as the sponsor and leading figure of the Chisti order of Sufis in India. He introduced the Chisti order in Ajmer around the mid-12th century. However, the Chisti order was actually founded by Abu Ishaq Shami in approximately 930 AD at Chist, a town near Herat in Afghanistan. The name of the order derives from this town. Among the notable Chisti Saints, Moin-ud-din Chisti, also known as Gharib Nawaz, gained significant fame and settled in Ajmer, India.
Q2. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists. (2001)
List I (Bhakti Saints) List II (Professions)
A. Namdev 1. Barber
B. Kabir 2. Weaver
C. Ravidas 3. Tailor
D. Sena 4. Cobbler
Codes
ABCD
(a) 2 3 1 4
(b) 3 2 4 1
(c) 3 2 1 4
(d) 2 3 4 1
Ans. (b)
The accurate pairing is as follows: A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1. Namdev, hailing from a lower caste family, was a skilled tailor deeply devoted to Lord Vittala of Pandharpur and affiliated with the Varakari sect. Kabir, also from a lower caste and a weaver by profession, stood as a prominent figure in the Bhakti movement, renowned for his compositions known as Doha, Sakhi, and Shloka. Ravidas, a cobbler by trade, founded the Ramdas sect and was a disciple of Saint Ramananda. Sena, a barber by occupation, was associated with the Varakari sect and, like Ravidas, was a follower of Saint Ramananda.
Q3. Who among the following was the first Bhakti Saint to use Hindi for the propagation of his message? (2002)
(a) Dadu
(b) Kabir
(c) Ramananda
(d) Tulsidas
Ans. (c)
Ramananda pioneered the use of Hindi for the dissemination of his message, marking him as the inaugural Bhakti saint to do so. A 14th-century Vaishnava devotional poet and saint known as Sri Ramet, he established the Ramanandi sect. Revered as the initiator of the Sant Parampara in North India, his influence resonates deeply in the region.
Q4. With reference to Sufism in Indian history, consider the following statements.(2002)
1. Sheikh Ahmad contemporary of Ibrahim Lodhi.
2. Sheikh Nasiruddin Chiragh-I-Dehlavi was disciple of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya.
3. Aurangzeb was a contemporary Chisti. of Sheikh Salim
4. The Qadiri order of Sufis was first introduced in India by Sheikh Niamutullah and Mohammad Jilani
Which of the statement(s) given is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 2 and 4
Ans. (d)
Statements (2) and (4) accurately depict Sufism’s role in Indian history. Sheikh Nasiruddin Chiragh-I-Dehlavi, a mystic poet and Sufi saint of the Chisti order in the 14th century AD, was a disciple of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya, the renowned Sufi saint. He stands as the final significant figure of the Chishti order in Delhi. Additionally, the Qadiri order of Sufis made its debut in India through the efforts of Sheikh Niamutullah and Makhdum Mohammad Jilani, in conjunction with Miyan Mir, during the Mughal era. Notably, the Mughal princess Jahanara Begum and her brother Dara Shikoh were among the disciples of this Silsila.
Q5. Which one of the following sequences indicates the correct chronological order?(2004)
(a) Shankaracharya, Ramanuja, Chaitanya
(b) Ramanuja, Shankaracharya, Chaitanya
(c) Ramanuja, Chaitanya, Shankaracharya
(d) Shankaracharya, Chaitanya, Ramanuja
Ans. (a)
The correct chronological order is Shankaracharya, Ramanuja, and Chaitanya. Shankaracharya, an 8th-century Indian philosopher and theologian, consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta. Ramanuja, born in 1017 AD, was another Indian philosopher and theologian, known for his significant contributions to the Sri Vaishnavism tradition within Hinduism. Chaitanya, a 15th-century Indian saint, was the chief proponent of the Vedantic philosophy of ‘Achintya Bheda Abheda Tattva’, also known as ‘Gauranga’.
Q6. Consider the following statements about Sikh Gurus. (2004)
1. Banda Bahadur was appointed as the military leader of the Sikhs by Guru Tegh Bahadur.
2. Guru Arjan Dev became the Sikh Guru after Guru Ram Das.
3. Guru Arjan Dev gave to Sikhs their own script Gurmukhi.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1 and 2
Statements (1) and (2) stand true. Banda Bahadur was designated as the military leader of the Sikhs by Guru Tegh Bahadur. Guru Arjan Dev succeeded Guru Ram Das as the Sikh Guru. In 1581 AD, Guru Ram Das, the fourth Guru, appointed Arjan Dev as the fifth Guru of the Sikhs in his stead. Statement (3) is inaccurate; it was Guru Angad who initiated the development of the new script Gurmukhi.
Q7. Among the following, who was not a proponent of bhakti cult? (2009)
(b) Tukaram
(a) Nagarjuna
(d) Vallabhacharya
(c) Tyagaraja
Ans. (a)
Nagarjuna did not advocate the bhakti cult. He was an Indian Buddhist philosopher known for introducing the concept of emptiness, or Sunyata, within the Madhyamika school of Mahayana Buddhism.
Q8. With reference to the religious history of medieval India, the Sufi mystics were known to pursue which of the following practices? (2013)
1. Meditation and control of breath.
2. Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place.
3. Recitation of holy songs to arouse a state of ecstasy in their audience.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) Only 3
(d) 1,2
Ans. (d)
In the annals of medieval Indian religious history, the Sufi mystics were renowned for their dedication to spiritual practices. These included meditation, breath control, rigorous asceticism in solitary locales, and the recitation of sacred songs to evoke ecstasy among their followers. Sufism, a mystical expression of Islam, centers on the quest for spiritual enlightenment. Its practices emphasize love and devotion to the divine, along with meditation, breath control, and the musical recitation known as sama. Disciples typically undergo spiritual exercises in seclusion to advance through various states of consciousness.
Q9. Consider the following bhakti saints. (2013)
1. Dadu Dayal
2. Guru Nanak
3. Tyagaraja
Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodhi dynasty fell and Babur took over?
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) Only 2
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. (b)
During the transition from the Lodhi dynasty to Babur’s reign, Guru Nanak was actively spreading his teachings. Born in 1469 AD and passing away in 1539 AD, he lived through the fall of the Lodhi dynasty. Legend has it that Babur, upon hearing of Guru Nanak’s eminence, sought to meet him. Witnessing the luminosity in his countenance and absorbing his profound wisdom, Babur acknowledged Guru Nanak’s sanctity.
Q10. Consider the following statements. (2014)
1. ‘Bijak’ is a composition of the teachings of saint Dadu Dayal.
2. The philosophy of Pushti Marg was propounded by Madhvacharya.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. (d)
Both statements (1) and (2) are inaccurate. Bijak, a compilation of the teachings of Saint Kabir Das, emphasizes the unity of one supreme being across all religions. Kabir’s works, including Sakhi Granth, Anurag Sagar, and Kabir Granthawali, enjoy widespread popularity. Vallabhacharya introduced the philosophy of Pushti Marg, which delineates four paths: Pravaha Pushti Marg, Maryada Pushti Marg, Pushti-Pushti Marg, and Suddha-Pushti Marg. Madhvacharya, a Vaishnavite hailing from Karnataka, championed Advaita literature and Upanishads. He established the Dvaita school of Vedanta, advocating the philosophy known as “Tattvavada”.
Q11. With reference to the religious practices in India, the Sthanakvasi sect belongs to (2018)
(a) Buddhism
(b) Jainism
(c) Vaishnavism
(d) Shaivism
Ans. (b)
In the context of religious practices in India, the Sthanakvasi sect is affiliated with Jainism, specifically within the Svetambara tradition. This sect holds the belief that idol worship is not necessary for spiritual purification and the attainment of Nirvana or Moksha. Originating as reformers within the Jain community, the Sthanakvasi emerged from the Lonka sect, which was established around 1474 AD by Lonka Shah, a prosperous and learned merchant from Ahmedabad. Also known as ‘Dhundhiya’ (Searcher) and Sadhumargi (Ascetic), the Sthanakvasi emphasize a path of spiritual pursuit detached from idol worship.
Q12. Consider the following statements.
1. Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar.
2. Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? (2019)
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither I nor 2
Ans. (d)
Q13. The sufi saint who maintained that devotional music was one way of coming close to God was (2021)
(a) Muin-ud-din Chishti
(b) Baba Farid
(c) Saiyid Mohammad Gesudaraz
(d) Shah Alam Bukhari
Ans. (a)
Muin-ud-din Chisti, a Sufi Saint, believed that engaging in devotional music was a pathway to connecting with God. Born in Afghanistan in 1156, he embarked on his spiritual journey at the tender age of 13. He chose to distribute his inheritance to the needy and embraced the humble lifestyle characteristic of Sufi saints.
FAQs
Q: What were the key features of the Bhakti Movement in Medieval India?
The Bhakti Movement was a socio-religious movement that emerged in medieval India, emphasizing devotion (bhakti) to a personal god. Key features include:
- Rejection of caste-based hierarchies.
- Emphasis on love and devotion to a personal deity rather than ritualistic practices.
- Use of vernacular languages to reach the masses.
- Advocacy for equality and inclusivity, welcoming people from all walks of life.
- Promotion of monotheism and the idea of one supreme being.
Q: Who were some prominent Bhakti saints and their respective regions?
Several saints emerged during the Bhakti Movement, spreading their teachings across different regions of India. Some prominent ones include:
- Ramanuja in South India
- Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Bengal
- Kabir in North India
- Mirabai in Rajasthan
- Guru Nanak in Punjab
Q: What was the significance of the Sufi Movement in Medieval India?
The Sufi Movement was a mystical Islamic movement that aimed to spread the message of love, peace, and devotion to God. Its significance lies in:
- Bridging the gap between different religious communities through a message of love and tolerance.
- Adoption of local customs and languages to convey Islamic teachings.
- Establishment of Khanqahs (Sufi monasteries) as centers of spiritual and social activities.
- Influence on the development of Indo-Islamic culture and art.
- Promotion of egalitarianism and simplicity, which attracted people from diverse backgrounds.
Q: Who were some notable Sufi saints and their contributions?
Several Sufi saints made significant contributions to the spread of Islam in the Indian subcontinent. Some notable ones include:
- Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer, known for his principle of universal love and famous dargah (shrine) at Ajmer.
- Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi, who emphasized the importance of love and service to humanity.
- Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi, known for his efforts to revitalize orthodox Islam and counter the influence of syncretic practices.
- Baba Fariduddin Ganjshakar, whose poetry and teachings emphasized the unity of God and love for humanity.
Q: How did the Bhakti and Sufi Movements contribute to the cultural and social fabric of medieval India?
Both movements played a significant role in shaping the cultural and social landscape of medieval India by:
- Promoting religious tolerance and fostering interfaith dialogue.
- Encouraging the use of vernacular languages, which led to the enrichment of literature and art.
- Challenging social inequalities and advocating for a more inclusive society.
- Inspiring various art forms such as music, poetry, and architecture.
- Contributing to the syncretic nature of Indian culture, blending elements of Hinduism, Islam, and indigenous traditions.
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