6

Bhakti and Sufi traditions

important Questions
3 Markers
1. Explain the features of Islamic religion which contributed to its spread throughout the Indian
sub-continent. (2013)

Ans- Islam came to Indian Sub continent in 8th century AD. Different Islamic rulers ruled the
different parts of Sub-continent till 18th century.

 Features which contributed to spread of Islam in India-

I. Adoption of local practices - The Arab Muslims traders who settled in Kerala
adopted the concept of Matrilocal residence and local languages.
II. Development of local literature - The Khojah Muslims disseminated the ideas of
Islam through devotional poems written in local languages i.e. Punjabi, Sindhi,
Kachhi, Hindi, Gujarati
III. Regional Features in Architecture – Mosques had the local architectural features
in it. E.g. Hamdaan Mosque, Palatial Mosque in Kerala
IV. Sufism – The influence of Sufi saints also contributed in the spread of Islam.
2. “Sufism emerged as a reaction to the growing materialism of the caliphate as a religious and
political institution”. Elucidate (2018)

Ans- Sufism is a mystic body Islam which focuses on the Islamic purification, spirituality and
asceticism. Sufism has played a great role in spread of Islam in Indian Sub-continent.

 Emergence of Sufism -

I. It was developed by 12th century into four orders as the opposition to the growing
extremism.
II. They were critical of the dogmatic definitions and scholastic methods of interpreting
the Qur’an and sunna adopted by theologians
III. Sufis sought an interpretation of Quran on the basis of personal experience
IV. They laid emphasis on seeking salvation through intense devotion and love for God
3. How did Basavanna initiate a new movement in Karnataka during Bhakti period ? Explain (2016)

Ans- Basavanna was the founder of Virashaiva tradition in 12th century. He was a minister in
the court of Kalchuri ruler.

 Emergence of Virashaiva tradition-

I. Followers of Basvanna worship Shiva in his manifestation as a linga.

II. They challenged the idea of caste and the “pollution” attributed to certain groups by
Brahmanas.
III. They also questioned the theory of rebirth
IV. These won them followers amongst those who were marginalized within the
Brahmanical social order
V. They also promoted widow remarriage and post puberty marriage

These factors collectively helped Basavanna in initiation as well as growth of Lingayat (or
Virashaiva) movement.
4. How is the legacy of Kabir important for our generation? Explain. (2016)

Ans- Kabir is one of the most influential poet saint of 14th-15th century. His verses are
impactful even in today’s circumstances.

 Importance of legacy of Kabir -

I. He has accepted the diversity by addressing ultimate reality with different names
such as – Allah, Brhaman, Alakh, Shunya etc.
II. He has preached brotherhood through is verses
III. He has been vocal about the hypocrisy in Islamic and Sanatan Tradition
IV. He has questioned entrenched religious and social institutions, ideas and practices
in their search for the Divine.
5. Describe the main teachings of Baba Guru Nanak. (2019)

Ans- Baba Guru Nanak was was born in a Hindu merchant family in a village called
Nankana Sahib near the river Ravi. He is considered to be the founder of Sikhism.

 Main teachings of Baba Nanak -

I. He advocated “Nirguna Bhakti”.

II. He rejected the sacrifices, rituals performed by the Hindus and Muslims.
III. He proposed a simple way to connect to the Divine by remembering and repeating
the Divine Name
IV. He promoted collective recitation (sangat) of Hymns
8 Markers
1. Identify the relationship between Sufi and State from eight to eighteenth century. (2017)

Ans- Sufism is a mystic body Islam which focuses on the Islamic purification, spirituality and
asceticism. Sufism has played a great role in spread of Islam in Indian Sub-continent.
Chisthi, suhrwardi, Nakshbandi and Qadiri silsila are the most popular ones in India.

Importance of Contribution of
relation for State
State
Sufi Saint’s
relation with State
Conflicts Approach of
Chishti
Approach of
other Silsilas
 Importance for state -

I. Sultans wished to gained the support of followers of Sufi saints

II. Sultans also required legitimation from Sufi saints in order to rule
III. Sultans wanted to associate themselves with the Sufi saints, especially to gain the
support of Non-Muslims as a huge number of Non-Muslims followed sufi saints

 Contribution of State -

I. Sultans granted tax free land (inam) and set up charitable trusts (auqaf)
II. Sultans also sought out Sufis for the jurisprudence over subjects
III. The Sufis accepted unsolicited grants and donations from the state elites

 Approach of Chishti saints -

I. Chishtis maintained a balanced distance from the politics and state but were not
isolated form it.
II. They accepted donations in cash and kind.
III. Rather than accumulate donations, they preferred to use these fully on immediate
requirements such as food, clothes, living quarters and ritual necessities
 Approach of other Silsilas -

I. Suhrawardi, Naqshbandi silsilas were associated with states

II. Some saints have also accepted court offices

 Conflicts -

I. There were instances of conflict between Sultans and Sufis

II. The conflicts were based on the authority of one over other
III. To assert their authority, both expected that certain rituals be performed such as
prostration and kissing of the feet.

Since the relation between Sufis and Saints was characterized by mutual benefits, hence it was
mostly a good one.
2. Identify the relationship between Alvars and Nayanars of Tamil Nadu with state from eight to
eighteenth century. (2017)

“The Alvars and Nayanars initiated a Bhakti and social movement with the support of state” Examine
this statement. (2023)

Describe the relationship between the Alvars and Nayanars with the state and society. Also, describe
the attitude of Alvars and Nayanars towards caste system.
Ans- Alvars and Nayanars were group of poet-saints who set a new standard of the devotion through
songs and poetry. Their hymns were in Tamil which became very popular among common people.
They are considered to have initiated the Bhakti movement.

Background Importance of
relation for state
Alvar and
Nayanar’s
relation with State

Contribution of
State
 Background -

I. Before Alvar and Nayanars, Buddhism and Jainism had been prevalent in the region for
centuries
II. They occasionally get the State patronage
III. Alvars and Nayanars competed with Buddhism and Jainism to get state’s support
IV. Many Tamil hymns are written in opposition to Buddhism and Jainism

 Importance of relation for state -

I. Both Nayanars and Alvars were revered by the Vellala peasants.

II. By associating with these saints, kings wanted to gain the support of Vellala
peasants too
III. The Chola kings, for instance, claimed divine support and proclaim their own power
and status by building splendid temples
IV. Association with gods and saints helped ruler to legitimize their rule
 Contribution of State

I. Chola rulers made land grants to Alvars and Nayanars

II. Some famous Shiva temple, Thanjavur, Chidambaram, Gangaikondacholapuram
were made under the patronage of Chola rulers
III. Kings also introduced the singing of Tamil Shaiva hymns in the temples under royal
patronage
IV. This led to the compilation of these hymns into texts
V. Inscriptional evidence from around 945 AD suggests that the Chola ruler Parantaka I
had consecrated metal images of Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar in a Shiva
temple

Royal patronage was one of the crucial reason behind growth of new traditions in South India which was
till then dominated by Buddhism and Jainism.
3. “Baba Nanak’s vision of the sacred word was all inclusive” Explain the statement (2023)

Describe the teachings of the philosophy of Sikhism. (2020)

Ans- Baba Guru Nanak was was born in a Hindu merchant family in a village called Nankana Sahib near
the river Ravi. He is considered to be the founder of Sikhism. His concept of Nirguna Bhakti and Shabad
was all inclusive which was highlighted in the hymns of Adi granth

Emergence of Teachings of
Sikhism Sikhism
Philosophy of
Sikhism/ Baba
Nanak
Inclusiveness in The Holy Granth
Sikhism Khalsa Panth
 Emergence -

I. Baba Guru Nanak is the founder of Sikhism

II. He was born in a Hindu merchant family of Punjab
III. He spent most of his time among sufis and bhaktas

 Teachings of Sikhism -

I. It advocates Nirguna Bhakti

II. It suggests that the God has no form or gender
III. It rejects sacrifices, ritual baths, image worship, austerities and the scriptures of both
Hindus and Muslims.
IV. It proposes simple way to connect to the Divine by remembering and repeating the
Divine Name
V. Baba Guru Nanak organised his followers into a community.
VI. He set up rules for congregational worship (sangat) involving collective recitation
 The Holy Granth -

I. After the death of Nanak, his followers consolidated their own practices and distinguished
themselves from both Hindus and Muslims.
II. The fifth preceptor, Guru Arjan , compiled the Adi granth Sahib
III. It consisted the hymns of Baba Guru Nanak, his four successors and the hymns of saints
like Baba Farid, Kabir, Ravidas
IV. These hymns were called Gurbani
V. They were compiled in different languages.
VI. In 17th century, Guru Govind Singh added the hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur and named the
Adi granth as Guru Granth Sahib
 The Khalsa Panth -

I. Guru Govind singh laid the foundation of Khalsa Panth

II. Khalsa Panth means “an army of Pure”
III. It is defined with it’s five symbols – Uncut hair, a dagger, a pair of shorts, a comb
and a steel bangle
IV. Under Guru Govind singh, Khalsa became a socio-religious and military force
 Inclusiveness in Sikhism -

I. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion having fusing elements from both Hinduism and Islam
II. It has been influence by Bhakti and Sufi traditions as well
III. Hymns of saints like Kabir, Ravidas, Baba Farid are added in Guru Granth Sahib
IV. As per Sikhism, god is beyond the religious distinctions.

Sikhism is inclusion of practices from different tradition. The philosophy of Baba Nanak about God is
beyond the religious distinctions.
4. Explain the teachings of Kabir. How did he describe the ultimate reality through his poems?
(2010)

Ans- Kabir is one of the most influential poet saint of 14th-15th century. His verses are impactful even
in today’s circumstances. Kabir was born in Banaras and was raised by a Julaha couple who had
recently converted to Islam.

Major Teachings of Kabir

Sources
Teachings of
Kabir
Relevance of his His description
teachings of ultimate reality
 Major Sources -

I. Kabir Bijak – It is preserved by the Kabirpanth

II. Kabir Granthawali – It is associated with Dadu Panth of Rajasthan. Kabir’s
compositions can be found in granthawali
III. Guru Granth Sahib – Kabir’s compositions can be found in Guru Granth sahib too,
which is a holy text of Sikhism
IV. Kabir’s poems have survived in several languages and dialects

 Teachings of Kabir -

I. Kabir Believed in Nirguna Bhakti

II. He believed in Monotheism
III. He preached brotherhood through his poems
IV. He was against the hypocrisy and sacrificial traditions of Hinduism and Islam
V. He encouraged the practice of Naam sumiran or recitation of God’s name
  His description of Ultimate reality -

I. He described ultimate reality through various traditions

II. He used word like Allah, Khuda, Hazrat, Pir to refer to the God
III. He also used terms drawn from Vedantic traditions, Alakh, Nirakar, Brahman, Atman
IV. He used terms from Yogic traditions such as Shabad, Shunya
V. He has used interesting expressions such as “the lotus which blooms without flower”
or “Fire raging he ocean” to describe ultimate reality

 Relevance of his teachings -

Kabir’s teachings are relevant in this modern world of growing intolerance, violence and religious
uniformisation. Because,
I. He has accepted the diversity by addressing ultimate reality with different names
such as – Allah, Brhama, Alakh, Shunya etc.
II. He has preached brotherhood through is verses
III. He has been vocal about the hypocrisy in Islamic and Sanatan Tradition
IV. He has questioned entrenched religious and social institutions, ideas and practices
in their search for the Divine.
The verses of Kabir highlight his sense of mystical expressions. His teachings are highly relevant in
modern world.
5. Describe the growth of Sufism in India from the eleventh century onwards. (2019)

Ans- Sufism is a mystic body Islam which focuses on the Islamic purification, spirituality and
asceticism. Sufism has played a great role in spread of Islam in Indian Sub-continent. Chishti,
suhrwardi, Nakshbandi and Qadiri silsila are the most popular ones in India.

Emergence of Sufism in India

concept of Sufism
Growth of Sufism
in India

Reason behind
growth

Role of Role of Royal Role of Role of Language

Chishti Sufi Patronage Devotionalism and
Saints communication
 Emergence of sufism as a concept -

I. It was developed by 12th century into four orders as the opposition to the growing
extremism.
II. They were critical of the dogmatic definitions and scholastic methods of interpreting
the Qur’an and sunna adopted by theologians
III. Sufis sought an interpretation of Quran on the basis of personal experience
IV. They laid emphasis on seeking salvation through intense devotion and love for God

 Sufism in India

I. There are four popular sufi silsilas in India – Chishti, Qadiri, Naqshbandi,
Suhrawardi
II. Among the different Silsilas of Sufism who migrated to India, Chishti was the
most influential
III. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is the first Chishti saint who came to India
IV. Chishti saints adapted successfully to the local environment
 Reason behind growth of Sufism

 Role of Chishti Sufi Saints -

I. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti was highly revered by both Muslims and Non-Muslims
II. His dargah is one of the most visited holy pilgrimage site of Sub-continent
III. Many followers were attended and served in the khankah of Sufi saints
IV. Khankah also provided shelter and food to the travelers and needy ones
V. During attack or invasion, people used to seek refuge in the khankah of sufi saints
VI. From morning till late night people from all walks of life used to visit khankah of sufi
saints
VII. Some famous Chishti sufi saints of sub-continent – Khwaza Moinuddin Chishti,
Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, Shaikh Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakar, Shaikh
Nizamuddin Auliya, Shaikh Nasiruddin
VIII. Shaikh Nizamuddin appointed several spiritual successors and deputed them to set
up hospices in various parts of the subcontinent.
IX. As a result, sufism grew in the various areas of Sub-continent
 Role of Royal Patronage -

I. Sultans supported the khankah of Sufis by giving them charity and land grants
II. It was necessary for Sultans to associated themselves with famous Sufi Saints
III. Sometimes Sufi saints were also given courtly offices
IV. Sultans also sought out Sufis for the jurisprudence over subjects
V. Akbar visited the tomb of Moinuddin Chishti fourteen times during his lifetime

 Role of Devotionalism -

I. Ziyarat (visit to the tomb of Sufi saint) was prevalent because of the influence of
Sufis
II. Music and dance were the part of ziyarat
III. This was similar to the Bhakti traditions
IV. It attracted people from different parts of India
V. Sama‘ was integral to the Chishtis, and exemplified interaction with indigenous
devotional traditions.
 Role of language and communication -

I. In Delhi, those associated with the Chishti silsila conversed in Hindavi.

II. Since Hindavi was the language of people, Chishtis attracted local audience
III. Other sufis such as Baba Farid composed verses in the local language
IV. The shorts poems in Dakkhani urdu were composed in reverence of Sufi saints
V. This was sung by local women
VI. This was a major reason behind growth of Chishti sufism in South India

Hence, because of these factors sufism became popular in the different parts of sub-continent.
6. Describe the philosophy of Sufism. (2020)

Ans- Sufism is a mystic body Islam which focuses on the Islamic purification, spirituality and
asceticism. Sufism has played a great role in spread of Islam in Indian Sub-continent. Chishti,
suhrwardi, Nakshbandi and Qadiri silsila are the most popular ones in India.

Emergence of Teachings of
concept of Sufism Sufism
Philosophy of
Sufism

Be-Sharia Silsilas
 Emergence of sufism as a concept -

I. It was developed by 12th century into four orders as the opposition to the growing
extremism.
II. They were critical of the dogmatic definitions and scholastic methods of interpreting
the Qur’an and sunna adopted by theologians
III. Sufis sought an interpretation of Quran on the basis of personal experience
IV. They laid emphasis on seeking salvation through intense devotion and love for God

 Teachings of Sufism

I. It preaches intense love and devotion towards God

II. It encourage to follow the example of Prophet Muhammad whom they regard as the
perfect Human being
III. The believe in mystic asceticism
IV. They believe in interpretation of Quran on the basis of personal experiences
V. The sufis remember God either by reciting the zikr or evoking his presence through
Sama
 Be Sharia Silsilas

I. There are two types of Sufi Silsilas – Ba Sharia and Be Sharia

II. Ba Sharia means – those who followed Sharia
III. Be Sharia means – those who did not follow Sharia
IV. Be Sharia sufi saints follows extreme asceticism
V. They opt for mendicancy and celibacy
VI. Some examples of Ba Sharia Silsila – Qalandar, Madari, Malang, Haidiri etc.

Hence, sufism is a mystic body of Islam which was the major reason behind spread of Islam in Sub-
continent.