Chapter 6

Bhakti Sufi traditions

From the eighth to the eighteenth century of Indian history, many religious ideas and beliefs were reconstructed. Many religious changes are seen during this period . The literary sources of this period include the works of saint poets , the beginning of oral compositions in regional languages , and musical compositions. Those ideas , which were not correct at various political , social and cultural levels, were abolished. Many saint poets started new traditions with the changes in the society.

Religion and devotion in India

1. Different religions

India has always been a country of diversity; over time, people belonging to different religions and sects have settled here.

1. The oldest religion: - Sanatan Vedic religion

2. New religions :- Jain , Buddhism , Christianity , Islam

2. Evil practices in ancient religion

1. Caste system.

2. Sati practice.

3. Discrimination.

4. Untouchability.

5. Caste system.

3. New religious changes

Ancient religious thoughts and evils attracted people towards new religions like Jainism and Buddhism.
Through which the saints tried to remove ostentation from religion and challenged discrimination.
It was expanded in South India by the Alvar and Nayanar saints.

1. Alwar- Vishnu Bhakt

2. Nayanar - a devotee of Shiva

4. New devotional tradition – worship of God .

The Path of Devotion / Devotional Tradition

1. Sagun

Idol worship- worship of Shiva , Vishnu , their incarnations , goddess. (Ramanand , Mirabai , Surdas)

2. Nirguna

Opposition to idol worship- worship of formless God. (Guru Nanak Dev , Raidas , Kabir)

Ganga-Jamuni structure of religious beliefs and practices

The most prominent feature of this period is the advent of many types of gods and goddesses in literature and sculpture . Worship of various forms of different gods started increasing at this time , especially the worship of Vishnu , Shiva and Devi .

1. Syncretism of worship systems

Two important changes at this time .

Brahmin ideology was propagated , mythological texts were composed , compiled and preserved . These texts were in Sanskrit language. The knowledge of these texts could be acquired by both Shudras and women .

During this period the beliefs and practices of women, Shudras and other social classes were accepted by the Brahmins.

New religious ideologies and the beginning of traditions, sociologist Robert Redfield deeply analyzed the process of social change in India. He called it the great and small tradition.

1. Aristocrats, lords, kings and priests in the great tradition.

2. Ordinary farmers and illiterate in small tradition.

2. Goddess worship

The goddesses were mostly worshipped in the form of stones smeared with vermilion , these goddesses were recognised as the consorts of the main deities such as:-

1. Wife of Lord Vishnu – Lakshmi.

2. Lord Shiva's wife – Parvati.

3. Change in the worship system

1. Tantric and Vedic methodology

Tantric worship system was prevalent in many parts of the country , it could be performed by both men and women , Shaiva and Buddhist philosophy was also influenced by this worship system.

In the Vedic period , gods like Agni , Indra , Som were the main gods , but in the mythological period they became secondary , the depiction of these gods is not seen in both literature and sculpture , glimpses of Vishnu , Shiva and Devi are seen in the Vedic mantras .

2. Difference between Vedic method and Tantric method

1. Vedic :- Yagna and recitation of Mantras.

2. Tantric: - Disregard of Vedic authority.

Devotees often describe their favorite god Vishnu or Shiva as supreme.

Poems of Worship

Some saint poets emerged as leaders around whom a whole community of devotees was formed , in many traditions Brahmins remained middlemen between the gods and the devotees , some saints also gave an accepted place to women and lower castes.

1. Alvar and Nayanar saints of Tamil Nadu

The early Bhakti movement took place around the 6th century under the leadership of the Alvars and Nayanars.

During their travels, these saints declared some holy places as the abode of their God , these places came to be considered as pilgrimage sites.

Later huge temples were built at these places , hymns of the saints were sung during rituals in these temples , idols of these saints were also installed.

2. Attitude towards caste

Alvar and Nayanar saints opposed the caste system and opposed the Brahmin system .

Bhakti saints were from different communities like Brahmins , farmers, artisans , lower castes (untouchables) .

The works of the Alvars and Nayanar saints are considered as important as the Vedas in Nalayir Divyaprabandha (Tamil Veda) .

3. Female devotee

According to this tradition, women also got an important place .

1. Andal- Alwar female saint

Andal's devotional songs were sung widely and are still sung today .

Andal considered herself as Vishnu's lover and expressed her feelings of love in verses .

2. Karikkal Ammaiyar- Nayanar female saint

She was a devotee of Shiva and adopted the path of severe penance .

The works of these women challenged patriarchy .

4. Relations with the state

There was competition among rival religious communities for state grants; opposition to Jainism and Buddhism is evident in Tamil devotional works. The Chola rulers (9th–13th centuries) supported the Brahmin and Bhakti traditions and gave land grants for the construction of temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva.

Huge Shiva temples like Chidambaram, Thanjavur and the idol of Shiva in Kasya were built with the help of the Chola emperor.

The Alvar and Nayanar saints were revered by the Vellala peasants, so the rulers tried to get their support.

The Chola emperors claimed to have divine support and built beautiful and huge temples to demonstrate their power, adorned with huge statues made of stone and metal.

The Chola emperors popularized the singing of Shaivite hymns in Tamil language in temples and took the responsibility of collecting the hymns in the form of a book.

An inscription of 945 AD reveals that the Chola emperor Parantaka I installed metal images of the saint-poets Appar Sambandar and Sundarar in the Shiva temple.

Veerashaiva tradition (Karnataka)

1 In the 2nd century , a new movement arose in Karnataka under the leadership of a Brahmin named Basavanna , who was the court minister of a Chalukya king .
Initially he was a follower of Jainism .
His followers are called Veerashaiva or Lingayat .
Veerashaivas - heroes of Shiva
Lingayat - the Linga-bearers
Lingayats worship Shiva in the form of Linga ; men of this community wear a small linga in a silver box on the left shoulder , which is viewed with reverence .

Lingayat Beliefs

Opposition to the caste system.
Did not believe in untouchability.
Did not believe in reincarnation.
Do not worship idols.
Buried in funeral rites.
The Brahmin text and the Vedas were not accepted.
Rejected superiority based on birth.
Adult marriage , widow remarriage recognized.

Religious upsurge in northern India

During this period, gods like Vishnu and Shiva were worshipped in temples in North India , these temples were built with the help of rulers .

Unlike the works of Alvar and Nayanar saints found in South India , no such works were found in North India until the 14th century .

During this period, Northern India was ruled by Rajput states , in these states Brahmins had an important position .

At this time some religious leaders emerged who opposed the orthodox Brahmin tradition .

Such leaders included the Naths , Jogis and Siddhas , many of whom were from the artisan communities , which also included weavers .

Many new religious leaders challenged the authority of the Vedas , they presented their ideas in the language of common people .

The new religious leaders were certainly popular but could not gain the patronage of the ruling class .

The Delhi Sultanate was established by the Turks in the thirteenth century , thus introducing Islam to India . Arab traders with Islamic traditions came by sea to the ports of western India .

Religious beliefs of the rulers and the ruled

1. Beginning of Islamic traditions

In 711 AD, an Arab commander named Muhammad bin Qasim attacked the Sindh region. He conquered it and included it in the Caliphate's territory.
In the 13th century the Turks and now they have laid the foundation of Delhi Sultanate. Gradually the border also expanded to the region of Deccan, in many areas the religion of the rulers was Islam.
This situation continued with the establishment of the Mughal Sultanate in the 16th century, with Muslim rulers following the guidance of the Ulema.

1. Ulama: - Ulama , the scholars of Islam, were expected to ensure that Sharia is followed in the governance.

2. Sharia :- Law that guides the Muslim community.

A large population in the subcontinent did not follow Islam . People of other religions living in the areas ruled by Muslim rulers , such as Christians , Jews and Hindus, paid a tax called Jaziya.
Some rulers adopted a flexible policy towards the public. Such as:-

1. Land grants and tax exemptions were given to Hindu , Jain , Parsi , Christian and Jewish religious institutions.

2. Expressed respect for non-Muslim religious leaders.

2. Islam in popular practice

The advent of Islam brought about changes throughout the subcontinent ; those who accepted Islam had to accept five main things in principle .

1. Allah is the only God, Prophet Muhammad is His Messenger.

2. Namaz 5 times a day.

3. Distributing alms (charity – Zakat)

4. Keeping fast.

5. Going to Mecca for Hajj.

Prophet Muhammad was the last prophet , after him the post of Caliph started, Caliph was a religious leader .

Arab Muslim traders settled along the Malabar coast (Kerala). They also learnt the local Malayalam language , adopted local rules and adopted matriarchy .

2. Names of communities

Between the 8th and 14th centuries, historians studied Sanskrit texts and inscriptions , which did not use the word Muslim ; people were classified based on their place of birth .

As :-

1. Those born in Turkey were called Turushkas .

2. The people of Tajikistan were called Tajiks .

3. The people of Persia were called Parsiks .

4. Turks and Afghans were also called Shakas and Yavanas .

5. A more general term for these migrant communities was mleccha .

Meaning of Maleccha :-

foul language speakers

Anarya - those who do not belong to the Aryan tradition

those who do not follow the caste system

Sufism

1. Sufi development

Such words had an inferiority complex for those who spoke a language which was not derived from Sanskrit . The word used for Sufism in Islamic texts is Tasawwuf, which is derived from Suf, meaning wool .

Some scholars believe that Sufi is derived from safa , which means clean/pure .

Some saints in Islam broke away from orthodox traditions and became more inclined towards mysticism and renunciation. They were called Sufis .

He criticized the conservative definitions and interpretations of the Quran given by religious leaders .

To attain salvation , he laid more emphasis on devotion to God and following his orders .

He described Prophet Mohammed as Insan-e-Kamil and talked about following Prophet Mohammed .

Sufis interpreted the Quran based on their personal experiences .

2. Khanqah and Silsila

1. Khanqah - residence of Sufi saints and preachers.

The control of the Khanqah was in the hands of Sheikh , Pir , Murshid .

The followers of saints were called Murids.

The Sheikh used to recruit his disciples

They laid down rules for spiritual conduct .

2. Silsila - A chain connecting Allah , Pir and Murid.

Sufi silsilas began to form in the Islamic world around the 12th century , pointing to a continuing relationship between sheikh and murid .

Special rituals of initiation were developed , in which the initiate had to take a pledge of loyalty .

One had to shave one's head and wear loose clothes .

After the death of the Pir, his Dargah became a place of devotion for his disciples .

3. Ziyarat - visit , pilgrimage

A tradition of sacrificing one's life for visiting the shrine of the saint started , which was called Urs .

People believed that after death the saints merge with God .

People used to go to seek his blessings for the fulfillment of their spiritual and worldly desires .

3. Outside the Khanqah

Some mystics founded a new movement based on their interpretation of Sufi principles and despised the khanqah .

He lived the life of a mystic fakir , he glorified poverty and celibacy , he is known by different names like Qalandar , Madari , Malang , Haidri.

Their characteristics

1. They disregarded the Sharia.

2. These were called be-Sharia.

3. They were viewed differently from the Sufis who followed the Sharia.

Chishti Silsila in the Subcontinent

Of the Sufi communities that arrived in India in the late 12th century , the Chishti were the most influential .

Reason

1. They adapted themselves to the local environment .

2. Also adopted the characteristics of Indian devotional tradition .

1. Life in the Chishti Khanqah

The khanqah of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya was in Delhi.
There were many small rooms and a large hall where guests stayed and worshipped.
Among those who lived here were the Sheikh's family, his servants, his followers.
The Sheikh lived in a small room on the terrace, where he would meet guests morning and evening.
The courtyard was surrounded by a corridor, and the khanqah was surrounded by a wall.
A community kitchen (langar) used to run here.
From morning till night people from all walks of life came here to become followers, to obtain amulets, and to seek mediation.
Amir Hasan Sijji, Amir Khusro, Ziauddin Barani, all of them have written about the Sheikh.
Sheikh Nizamuddin chose several spiritual successors and sent them to establish khanqahs in different parts.
Gradually, the teachings of the Chishtis and the fame of the Sheikh spread far and wide and pilgrims began visiting the shrine of his ancestors.

2. Chishti worship: Ziyarat and Qawwali

People used to visit the shrines of Sufi saints for pilgrimage. Over the past 700 years, people from different sects have been visiting the shrines of the five great Chishti saints.
The most important dargah in this is of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, who is called Garib Nawaz.
The Dargah was very popular due to the virtue and piety of the Sheikh and the patronage given to it by his heirs and royal guests.
Muhammad bin Tughlaq was the first Sultan who visited this Dargah.
The first building was built by Sultan Ghiyasuddin Khilji.
Akbar came here 14 times. He used to come here after achieving every important achievement.
The king used to give donations on each visit; details of this are recorded in the royal documents.
Dance and music were also a part of the ziyarat, the most important of which was the mystic praises of the Qawwals, while the Sufi saints worshipped God through zikr (chanting the name of God) or sama (listening).

3. Language and communication

The Chishtis adopted the local language, the people of the Chishti Silsila in Delhi conversed in Hindavi.
Baba Farid composed poetry in the regional language, a compilation of which is found in Guru Granth Sahib.
Some Sufis wrote long poems called Masnavi such as Padmavat by Malik Muhammad Jayasi which revolves around the love story of Padmini and Ratan Sen, the king of Chittor.
There were short poems written in Dakhhani in the Deccan around Karnataka, composed by the Chishti saints who settled here in the 17th-18th centuries.

4. Sufis and the State

The people of the Chishti sect lived a life of restraint and simplicity and emphasized on keeping themselves away from power.
If the ruling elite class gave gifts without being asked, the Sufi saints would accept them.
The Sultans granted tax-free land to the Khanqah.
Chishti accepted donations in the form of money and goods. This money was not collected and kept but was spent on food, clothing, accommodation, gatherings, etc.
Chishti was very famous among the common people, that is why rulers also wanted to get his support.
When the Delhi Sultanate was established by the Turks, the demand for the imposition of Sharia by the Ulema was rejected because the majority of the people did not believe in Islam, in such a situation the Sultans took the help of Sufi saints.
There are also instances of tension between Sufis and sultans, both of whom emphasized certain practices to assert their power.

As : -

To bow down and salute , to kiss the feet.
Sometimes Sufi Sheikhs were addressed by pompous titles, as was the case with the followers of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya , Sultan - ul - Mashaikh (Sultan among Sheikhs).

Dialogue and Dissent in the New Bhakti Cult of Northern India

1. Mirabai

Mirabai is the most famous poetess of the Bhakti tradition. Mirabai was born in Rajasthan around 15th-16th century. Her father was Ratan Singh.
Mirabai was immersed in devotion to Krishna since her childhood.
Mirabai was married against her wishes into the Sisodiya clan of Mewar.
After marriage, Mirabai disobeyed her husband and refused to perform the duties of a wife and mother.
Because Mirabai had accepted Shri Krishna as her only husband, once her in-laws tried to poison her, but Mirabai managed to escape from the palace.
She became a wandering singer, composing many songs to express her inner feelings.
Meera's guru was Raidas who was a cobbler, from this it is known that Meera opposed the caste tradition.
Mirabai renounced the luxuries of the royal palace and lived the life of an ascetic as a widow, wearing white clothes.

2. Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak was born in a Hindu family , his birthplace was Nankana village of Punjab which was near the river Ravi , death – Kartarpur
He was married at a young age.
He spent most of his time among Sufi and devotee saints.
Traveled around the country and propagated Nirgun Bhakti.
Rejected all external forms of religion
Like yajna , ritualistic bath , idol worship , rigorous penance.
The religious texts of Hindus and Muslims were also rejected.

Guru Nanak Education

Guru Nanak, the Supreme Lord does not have any form of a penis, the only way to attain God is by simple rule of worship, remembering Him and chanting His name.
He presented his thoughts through Shabad in Punjabi language. Nanak ji used to sing these Shabads in different ragas. His servant Mardana used to accompany him by playing Rabab.
Guru Nanak organized his followers into a community, laid down rules for community worship, where collective recitation took place
Guru Nanak appointed his follower Angad as his successor as Guru, this tradition continued for about 200 years
Establishment of Sikhism
Guru Nanak Ji did not want to establish any new religion, but after his death his followers formed their conduct and thoughts in such a way that they distinguished themselves from both Hindus and Muslims.
Fifth Guru Arjan Dev Ji compiled the words of Baba Guru Nanak and his four successors Baba Farid, Ravidas, Kabir in the Adi Granth Sahib. These are called Gurbani.
The compositions of the ninth guru Guru Tegh Bahadur were also included in it, this book was called Guru Granth Sahib.
Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth, Khalsa Panth - the army of the pure.

His five symbols

1. Uncut Case

2. Saber

3. Kutch

4. Comb

5. Iron Kadha

3. Kabir

Kabir is considered a great saint and social reformer poet. He was born in Varanasi. He was born to a widowed woman.
His mother abandoned him near the Lahartara river and he was later raised by a weaver couple, Neeru and Neema.
He used many methods to describe the ultimate truth
Like Islamic philosophy, Kabir calls truth as Allah, Khuda, Hazrat and Peer.
Influenced by Vedanta philosophy, Kabir calls the truth as Alakh (invisible), formless.
Some poems support the Islamic philosophy of monotheism and iconoclasm.
Rejects polytheism and idol worship in Hinduism
Kabir was and still is a source of inspiration for those who look at orthodox religious, social traditions and ideas in a questioning manner in their search for truth.
The guru who showed the path of devotion to Kabir was Ramanand. It is believed that he was born in a Hindu family but was brought up in a Muslim family.
Kabir was not educated, Kabir's words were written in a book called Bijak.
The Bijak is preserved by Kabirpanthis in Varanasi and places in Uttar Pradesh.
Kabir Granthavali is related to the Dadupanthis of Rajasthan.
Apart from this, many verses of Kabir are also compiled in Adi Granth Sahib.
All these were compiled much after Kabir's death.

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Bhakti-Sufi Traditions Notes in English Class 12 History Chapter-6 Book-Themes in Indian History-II