Bhakti-Sufi Traditions Important Short and Long Question Class 12 History Chapter-6 Book-Themes in Indian History-II

 

Question – What were the reasons for the rise of Bhakti movement?

Answer -

• evils of hinduism 

• Fear of the spread of Islam 

• Influence of Sufi saints 

• Influence of Vaishnavism 

• The rise of many religious reforms 

• Such as - Ravidas, Ramanand, Surdas Tulsidas, Mirabai, Kabir,

Question:  Give a brief introduction of Chishti Silsila?

Answer -

• There are many Sufi orders in practice in India.  The Chishti order was the most popular among them.  Khanqahs were established to meet the Chishti saints.  People from different classes used to come to meet them.

Question -  Who were the Alvars and Nayanars?  What was their attitude towards caste?

Answer -

• Alwar was a Vishnu devotee. 

• Nayanar was a devotee of Shiva

• Alvar and Nayanar saints raised their voice against the caste system and the dominance of Brahmins.  They considered caste discrimination wrong. 

 What were the effects of the Bhakti movement on the social system of India ? Write a short note on the Lingayat sect?

Answer -

• Lingayat sect is related to Karnataka 

• It was started by a Brahmin named Basavanna 

• Lingayats are devotees of Shiva  and they opposed the caste system

• Lingayats also questioned reincarnation,  Lingayats bury the dead bodies

Question: Tell the ultimate truth described by Kabir?

Answer -

• Kabir used many conventions to describe the ultimate truth 

• Like Islamic philosophy, Kabir calls the truth as Allah, Khuda, Hazrat and Peer. 

• Influenced by Vedanta philosophy, Kabir addresses the truth as invisible, formless, Brahman and Atman.

Question:  Give details of Khanqah in Sufism?

Answer -

• Khanqah means Dargah or Monastery.  Sufi saints used to reside in Khanqah. 

• The control of the Khanqah was in the hands of a Sheikh, Pir or Murshid 

• People came to the Khanqah to pray, to get amulets, and to seek the Sheikh's mediation on various issues

Question -  Who were the Veerashaivas? Which evils prevalent in society did they oppose?

Answer -

• Veerashaivas were devotees of Lord Shiva.  They were also known as Veeras of Shiva and Lingayats.  They originated in Karnataka region.

• He opposed the following evils prevalent in the society -

1. Opposition to the caste system 

2. Opposition to the Shraddha rites mentioned in the scriptures 

3. Put a question mark on the theory of reincarnation

Question -  What was the difference between the religious beliefs of the rulers and the ruled? What efforts were made by the rulers for this?

Answer -

• Under the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire, the rulers belonged to Islam and the people (ruled) belonged to different religions. 

• Thus there was a difference in the religion of both the ruler and the ruled 

• Muslim rulers took religious taxes from non-Muslims

• The rulers adopted a very flexible policy towards the ruled 

• Many rulers gave land grants and tax exemptions to Hindu, Jain, Parsi, Christian and Jewish religious institutions

Question:  Explain the relationship of Bhakti saints with the state?

Answer -

• There were good relations between Bhakti saints and the state.  Chola rulers used to give land grants to Bhakti saints. 

• Various Chola rulers patronised Bhakti saints and also helped in the construction of various temples 

• Chola emperor Parantaka I installed metal images of Nayanar saints, poets Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar in a Shiva temple

Question:  What kind of relations did the state have with the Sufi saints?

Answer -

• The Chishti sect lived a life of restraint and simplicity and emphasis was laid on staying away from power. 

• If the ruling class gave grants or gifts without being asked, the Sufi saints would accept them 

• The Khanqah was given tax free land grants by the Sultan

• Sufis accepted donations in the form of money and goods  and spent these on food, clothing, housing, and rituals rather than hoarding them.

• The rulers not only wanted to maintain contact with Sufi saints but also relied on their support

• The ruler wanted to build his tomb close to the Sufi Dargah and Khanqah

• Sometimes there have been instances of tension between the Sultan and the Sufis 

Question:  Explain those characteristics of Islam with the help of which this religion spread throughout the subcontinent?

Answer -

• The concept of monotheism influenced people 

• There is no caste system in Islam

• The evil practices in Hinduism also became a reason why people were attracted towards Islam 

• People accepted Islam due to the fear of swords used by Mughal rulers 

Q.  Who were Andal and Karaikkal Ammaiyar? What were their contributions?

Answer -

• Andal was an Alvar woman (devotee of Vishnu)

• Andal considered herself as the lover of Vishnu and expressed her feelings of love in verses.

• Karaikkal Ammaiyar was a Nayanar woman (devotee of Shiva)

• Karaikkal Ammaiyar adopted the path of severe penance

• The thoughts of these two women saints influenced people. 

• Even today Andal's devotional songs are widely sung 

Question:  Explain the main principles of Sufism?

Answer -

• Sufi saints refuted the superstitions and customs prevalent in Islam 

• He believed that there is only one God and asked his followers to live a simple and pious life.

Principles of Sufism

• They had their own literature related to Sufism and the Quran 

• Sufi saints resided in Khanqah 

• The Sufi saint preached to the people in the local language

• According to Sufism, the Chishti order ordered its followers to renounce worldly desires, wealth, and luxuries  because these were a big obstacle in the spiritual path. 

• The Sheikh instructed his followers to live a life of poverty and ascetics

• Sufism believed in non-violence and peace 

• He believed that the problems of society should be solved through non-violence and peace rather than through fighting.

• Sufi saints used to preach brotherhood in the world  and opposed caste discrimination

• Sufi saints always speak the truth, lead a simple life and help the poor 

Question:   Explain the contribution of women in the Bhakti tradition?

Answer -  

Many women saints played an important role in carrying forward the Bhakti tradition.  Women saints - Mirabai, Andal, Karaikkal Ammaiyar etc.

1. Andal was an Alvar woman (devotee of Vishnu)

• Andal considered herself as the lover of Vishnu and expressed her feelings of love in verses.

2. Karaikkal Ammaiyar was a Nayanar woman (devotee of Shiva)

• Karaikkal Ammaiyar adopted the path of severe penance

• The thoughts of these two women saints influenced the public and  even today Andal's devotional songs are sung on a large scale. 

3. Mirabai Krishna devotee 

• Mirabai left the luxuries of the palace and  adopted the life of a hermit 

• Mirabai considered Raidas as her Guru, which shows  that she rejected the discrimination of caste system

• The verses composed by Mirabai are still a source of inspiration 

Question:  Kabir, Guru Nanak and Meerabai are relevant in the 21st century, how?

Answer -

Even today, society is being influenced by the thoughts of these great saints.  These saints strongly attacked religious conservatism and criticized the caste system and discriminatory society.  They taught humanity to humans.

1. Sant Kabir  

• Opposed Hindu - Muslim religious orthodoxy

• He supported monotheism 

• Sant Kabir opposed idol worship

• He exposed the evil practices of both Hindu and Muslim religions

2. Guru Nanak ji 

• preached Nirguna Bhakti 

• Guru Nanak Ji rejected religious ostentation 

• He opposed yajna, ritualistic bathing, idol worship and rigorous penance. 

• He also rejected the Hindu and Muslim religious texts. 

• Nanak ji described God as formless  and told a simple way of worship by remembering Him 

3. Mirabai 

• She left the luxuries of the palace and adopted the life of a hermit 

• Mirabai considered Raidas as her Guru, which shows that she rejected the discrimination of caste system

• The verses composed by Mirabai are still a source of inspiration 

Question -  Was Kabir a social reformer? Review this in the context of Kabir's teachings?

Answer -

Kabir was a great social reformer.  He raised the issues of religious fanaticism, conservative traditions, caste system, social discrimination and religious evils in the society and made people aware.

Review of Kabir's teachings

• Kabir used to call the ultimate truth as Allah, Khuda, Hazrat, Peer, Alakh, Nirakar, Brahman, Atman 

• Kabir supported monotheism 

• Kabir opposed idol worship 

• Opposed polytheism in Hinduism 

• Emphasised on Hindu-Muslim unity 

• Attacked the religious evils of both Hindus and Muslims 

• opposed conservative traditions

Question:  Throw light on the relations of Sufi saints with the state?

Answer -

• The Chishti sect lived a life of restraint and simplicity  and emphasis was laid on staying away from power. 

• If the ruling class gave grants or gifts without being asked, the Sufi saints would accept them 

• The Khanqah was given tax free land grants by the Sultan

• Sufis accepted donations in the form of money and goods  and spent these on food, clothing, housing, and rituals rather than hoarding them.

• The rulers not only wanted to maintain contact with Sufi saints  but also relied on their support

• The ruler wanted to build his tomb close to the Sufi Dargah and Khanqah

• Sometimes there have been instances of tension between the Sultan and the Sufis 

• Sufi saints were sometimes addressed with pompous titles 

Example - 

The followers of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya used to address him as Sultan-ul-Mashaikh

Question:  Tell us the main teachings of Kabir and how were they communicated?

Answer -

• Kabir used to call the ultimate truth as Allah, Khuda, Hazrat, Peer, Alakh, Nirakar, Brahman, Atman 

• Kabir supported monotheism 

• Kabir opposed idol worship 

• Opposed polytheism in Hinduism 

• Emphasised on Hindu-Muslim unity 

• Attacked the religious evils of both Hindus and Muslims 

• opposed conservative traditions

Question -  Throw some light on the teachings of Baba Guru Nanak?  Did he want to establish a new religion?

Answer -

Teachings of Guru Nanak - 

• Guru Nanak's message is contained in his hymns and teachings

• Guru Nanak preached Nirguna Bhakti 

• Guru Nanak rejected the external pomp of religion

• Guru Nanak opposed sacrifices, ritual baths, idol worship and severe penance.  

• Guru Nanak rejected the Hindu and Muslim scriptures

• God was described as formless and  the simple way to worship was to constantly remember him

• Guru Nanak Ji did not want to establish any new religion

Question -  Who were the Lingayats? Describe their contribution in the social and religious field with special reference to the caste system?

Answer -

• In the twelfth century a new movement emerged in Karnataka

• This movement was led by a Brahmin named Basavanna

• His followers were called Veerashaiva or Lingayat.

1. Veerashaiva - heroes of Shiva  

2. Lingayat - those who wear Linga 

His contributions in the social and religious field in the context of the caste system - 

• Lingayats opposed the caste system

• Lingayatas opposed the concept of caste and the corruption of certain communities. 

• Openly opposed the brahmanical concept

• The Lingayat community also questioned the theory of reincarnation 

• They believed that after death the devotee will merge into Shiva and will never return to this world again.

• He rejected the principles given in the scriptures 

• Like - adult marriage and widow remarriage were recognized by the Lingayats

Question -  On what basis has the biography of saint poetess Mirabai been written? Explain how she violated the prevailing beliefs in society?

Answer -

• The biography of saint poetess Mirabai has been compiled on the basis of the hymns written by her. 

• that have been transmitted orally for centuries

• Mirabai violated the prevailing beliefs of the society 

• Mirabai was a Rajput princess from Merta district of Marwar 

• Their marriage was against their will 

• She was married into the Sisodia clan of Mewar.

• She disobeyed her husband and refused to fulfill her duties as a wife and mother 

• Mirabai had accepted Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu, as her only husband 

• Mirabai's in-laws tried to poison her but she escaped. 

• After leaving the palace, Mirabai became a wandering singer 

• He composed many songs to express his inner feelings. 

• Mirabai's guru was Raidas who was a cobbler. This also shows that Mirabai did not believe in caste traditions. 

• Mirabai left the comforts of the palace and lived the life of a sanyasni by wearing the white clothes of a widow.

Question -  Write the main features of life in the Khanqah of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya?

Answer -

• The khanqah of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya at what was then the outskirts of the city of Delhi at Ghiyaspur on the banks of the Yamuna river

• There were many small rooms and a big hall (Jamatkhana) here 

• where fellow citizens and guests lived and worshipped

• The Sheikh's cohabitants included his family, servants and followers

• The Sheikh lived in a small room on the terrace where he would meet guests morning and evening

• The khanqah was surrounded by a wall on all sides.  There was a community kitchen (langar) here which ran on futuh (free charity) 

• People from all walks of life – soldiers, slaves, traders, poets, travelers, rich and poor – came here to become Hindu followers, to pray, to get amulets and to seek the Sheikh's mediation on various issues. 

• Bowing before the Sheikh, offering water to those who came to meet him, shaving the head of the initiated and doing yogic exercises etc. show   that an attempt was made to adopt the local traditions.