Medieval Chapters

1. Early Medieval Period2. North India (Rajputana Period)3. South India (Cholas and Others)4. Sultanate Period I5. The Delhi Sultanate II6. Vijayanagar and Other Kingdoms7. Religious Movements (Medieval)8. Bhakti Movement9. Sufi Movement10. Mughal Period11. Maratha State and Maratha Confederacy12. The Advent of the Europeans

Bhakti Movement

The Bhakti Movement was a religious and social reform movement in India that emphasized love and devotion to God over ritualistic practices and caste hierarchies.

Origin and Background

  • Originated in South India during the 7th-8th century CE.
  • Led by the Alvars (Vishnu devotees) and Nayanars (Shiva devotees).
  • Gradually spread to North India between 13th and 17th centuries.
  • Challenged Brahmanical dominance, caste system, and emphasized personal devotion (bhakti).

Main Features of the Bhakti Movement

  • Monotheism: Devotion to one personal God.
  • Simplicity in Worship: No need for elaborate rituals or priestly intervention.
  • Equality: Rejection of caste system and social discrimination.
  • Use of Regional Languages: Spread through poetry and songs in vernacular languages.
  • Spiritual Democracy: Emphasis on internal devotion, open to all.

Famous Saints of Bhakti Movement

Saint Region Main Teachings
Ramanuja Tamil Nadu Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism); devotion to Vishnu
Kabir Varanasi Nirguna Bhakti, against caste, both Hindu & Muslim orthodoxy
Ravidas Uttar Pradesh Equality and spiritual liberation; from Dalit community
Meera Bai Rajasthan Devotion to Krishna through poetry
Guru Nanak Punjab Nam Japna, Kirat Karni, Vand Chakna; Founder of Sikhism
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Bengal Radha-Krishna devotion; singing and dancing
Tukaram Maharashtra Devotion to Vithoba; promoted equality and morals
Dnyaneshwar Maharashtra Marathi commentary on Bhagavad Gita (Bhavarth Deepika)

Impact of Bhakti Movement

  • Reduced caste discrimination and promoted equality.
  • Boosted regional literature and devotional poetry.
  • Fostered Hindu-Muslim unity through shared values.
  • Influenced movements like Sikhism and later social reforms.

Previous Year Questions with Answers

  • SSC CGL 2021: Who was the founder of Sikhism?
  • → Guru Nanak
  • RRB NTPC 2020: Kabir belonged to which Bhakti tradition?
  • → Nirguna Bhakti
  • SSC CHSL 2019: Which Bhakti saint was a woman devotee of Lord Krishna?
  • → Meera Bai
  • HSSC 2022: The Bhakti movement started initially in which region?
  • → South India
  • SSC GD 2021: Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is associated with which God?
  • → Lord Krishna
  • RRB JE 2019: Who wrote commentary on the Bhagavad Gita in Marathi?
  • → Dnyaneshwar
  • SSC MTS 2022: Which Bhakti saint was born in a Dalit family?
  • → Ravidas
  • HSSC JE 2021: What did Bhakti movement oppose?
  • → Idol worship, caste, rituals
  • UPSC Prelims 2020: Who was the main proponent of Vishishtadvaita?
  • → Ramanuja
  • SSC CPO 2021: What was the main focus of Bhakti movement?
  • → Love and devotion to a personal God
  • SSC CGL 2018: Who was the main saint of the Bhakti movement in Maharashtra?
  • → Tukaram
  • SSC CPO 2022: Alvars and Nayanars belonged to which region?
  • → Tamil Nadu (South India)
  • RRB ALP 2018: Bhakti saints wrote in which language?
  • → Regional/Vernacular languages
  • SSC JE 2017: What was common in Bhakti and Sufi movements?
  • → Stress on inner devotion and equality

Conclusion

The Bhakti Movement was a transformative chapter in Indian history, offering spiritual democracy and challenging entrenched inequalities. Its message of love, devotion, and equality remains relevant in modern India.

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