History & Civics
With reference to the pictures given alongside, answer the following:
(a) Name the Bhakti Saints given in the pictures. Where were they born?
(b) How did the Sufi and the Bhakti movements foster the growth of Indo-Islamic culture?
(c) Mention any two teachings of each of these two saints.
Answer
(a) The Bhakti Saints given in the pictures are Mirabai and Sant Jnaneswar (Dnyaneshwar). Mirabai was born in Mewar in Rajasthan and Sant Jnaneswar was born in Apegaon village on the banks of Godavari river near Paithan in Maharashtra.
(b) A number of sufi and bhakti saints emphasised the essential unity of Islam and Hinduism. They laid stress on a religion based on love and devotion rather than one based on rituals. Thus, they created an atmosphere in which liberal sentiments and views could grow and religious narrowness was shunned. In these ways, the Sufi and the Bhakti movements played an important role in fostering growth of Indo-Islamic culture.
(c) Two Teachings of Mirabai were:
- She preached complete devotion to Lord Krishna.
- She denounced the caste system and believed in the equality of all human beings
Two Teachings of Sant Jnaneshwar (Dnyaneshwar) were:
- He regarded bhakti (devotion) as the means to liberation.
- He emphasised remembering God at all times and living a simple and virtuous life, and helping others.
Related Questions
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(a) Devotion to God
(b) Caste distinctions
(c) Unity of all religions
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