Bhakti and Sufi Movement

31. Consider the following statements about Sufism in India: Pilgrimage

Consider the following statements about Sufism in India:

  • Pilgrimage called ziyarat to tombs of Sufi saints is an important feature.
  • The most influential group of Sufis in India were the Chishtis.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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The correct answer is C) Both 1 and 2.
Statement 1 is correct. Pilgrimage, known as ziyarat, to the tombs (dargahs) of Sufi saints is a central and important practice in popular Sufism in India. Devotees visit dargahs to seek spiritual blessings (baraka), offer prayers, make vows, and participate in rituals and festivals like Urs, which commemorates the death anniversary of the saint.
Statement 2 is correct. The Chishti order, founded in India by Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti in the 12th century, became the most prominent and influential Sufi order in India. Known for its emphasis on love for humanity, tolerance, simple living, music (sama), and living among the people, the Chishtis attracted a large following among both Muslims and non-Muslims. Other influential orders include the Suhrawardi, Qadiri, and Naqshbandi, but the Chishtis had unparalleled popularity and reach across the subcontinent.
Sufism played a significant role in the spread of Islam in the Indian subcontinent and fostered a syncretic culture due to its inclusive approach and emphasis on universal love and devotion. Dargahs of prominent Chishti saints like Muinuddin Chishti (Ajmer), Nizamuddin Auliya (Delhi), and Salim Chishti (Fatehpur Sikri) are major pilgrimage sites visited by millions every year.

32. Consider the following statements about the Vedanta philosophy : 1.

Consider the following statements about the Vedanta philosophy :

  • 1. Shankara was the founder of Advaita Vedanta.
  • 2. The philosophy of Dvaita was elaborated by Madhva.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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Both statements are correct. Adi Shankara (Shankara) is the most prominent proponent and systematizer of Advaita Vedanta. Madhva is the founder and main exponent of the Dvaita (dualism) school of Vedanta philosophy.
Vedanta is one of the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy. Different schools within Vedanta offer various interpretations of the Upanishads, Brahma Sutras, and Bhagavad Gita. Advaita emphasizes non-dualism (oneness of Atman and Brahman), while Dvaita emphasizes dualism (distinction between God and individual souls).
Other major schools of Vedanta include Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism) founded by Ramanuja, Dvaitadvaita (dualistic non-dualism) by Nimbarka, and Shuddhadvaita (pure non-dualism) by Vallabha.

33. Who among the following is the writer of the Kirtana-Ghosha ?

Who among the following is the writer of the Kirtana-Ghosha ?

Vatsadasa
Madhavdev
Rama Saraswati
Srimanta Sankaradev
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D
The Kirtana-Ghosha is a highly revered collection of devotional songs (kirtans) in Assamese literature, primarily composed by the 15th-16th century Vaishnava saint and reformer, Srimanta Sankaradev. It is considered a foundational text of the Ekasarana Dharma (Neo-Vaishnavite) movement he founded in Assam.
Srimanta Sankaradev (c. 1449–1568) was a towering figure in the cultural and religious history of Assam, contributing significantly to literature, music, dance, drama, and religious philosophy. His disciple Madhavdev wrote the Nama Ghosha, another important devotional text in Assamese.

34. Which among the following statements is/are correct ? 1. Nalayira D

Which among the following statements is/are correct ?

  • 1. Nalayira Divyaprabandham is an anthology of Alvar saints’ compositions.
  • 2. Tevaram is the collection of Tamil Shaiva hymns.
  • 3. Nalayira Divyaprabandham is also described as the Tamil Veda.

Select the answer using the code given below :

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
1 only
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C
All three statements are correct. The Nalayira Divyaprabandham is indeed a collection of 4000 hymns composed by the 12 Alvar saints, who were prominent figures in the Tamil Vaishnavite Bhakti movement. Tevaram is a collection of devotional hymns by the Nayanmar saints (Appar, Sundarar, and Sambandar), who were leaders of the Tamil Shaivite Bhakti movement. The Nalayira Divyaprabandham holds immense religious significance in Tamil Vaishnavism and is often referred to as the “Tamil Veda” due to its scriptural authority and comprehensive nature.
The compilation of the Nalayira Divyaprabandham is traditionally attributed to Nathamuni in the 10th century. The Tevaram was compiled by Nambiyandar Nambi in the 11th century. Both collections are cornerstones of Tamil devotional literature and reflect the vibrant Bhakti movements that flourished in South India.

35. The malfuzat literature is:

The malfuzat literature is:

discourses by Sufi leaders.
treatises written by Sufis on the theory and practices of Sufism.
biographical dictionaries of the Sufi orders.
letters written by the Sufis.
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The term ‘malfuzat’ refers to the recorded discourses, conversations, and sayings of Sufi saints or leaders. These are essentially oral teachings and discussions preserved in written form by their disciples or attendees.
Malfuzat literature is a key source for understanding the thoughts, practices, and lives of individual Sufis and their interactions with their followers and society. They often contain anecdotes, interpretations of religious texts, ethical advice, and details about the daily life of the Sufi master and his khanqah (hospice).
Other forms of Sufi literature include ‘maktubat’ (letters written by Sufis), ‘tazkiras’ (biographical dictionaries of Sufi saints), and formal treatises on Sufi theory and practice. Malfuzat represent a distinct genre focused on the spoken word of the master. Prominent examples include ‘Fawa’id al-Fu’ad’ (conversations of Nizamuddin Auliya, compiled by Amir Hasan Sijzi) and ‘Khair ul Majalis’ (conversations of Nasiruddin Chiragh Dehlavi, compiled by Hamid Qalandar).

36. Which one of the following Sufi saints of Qadiriyya order was condemne

Which one of the following Sufi saints of Qadiriyya order was condemned by Aurangzeb for his discussion on Wahdat-al-wujud with his father Shahjahan and elder brother Dara Shikoh?

Shaikh Abdul Qadir
Shaikh Hamid
Miyan Mir
Mulla Shah
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Mulla Shah Badakhshi was a prominent Sufi saint of the Qadiriyya order and the chief disciple of Miyan Mir. He was the spiritual preceptor of Prince Dara Shikoh, Emperor Shah Jahan’s elder son. Both Shah Jahan and Dara Shikoh were interested in Sufism and engaged in discussions with Mulla Shah, including on concepts like Wahdat-al-wujud (unity of being), which was central to many Sufi philosophies. Aurangzeb, an orthodox Sunni, viewed Dara Shikoh’s syncretic approach and ideas like Wahdat-al-wujud with suspicion and considered them heretical. After becoming emperor, Aurangzeb persecuted those associated with Dara Shikoh, including Mulla Shah, whom he exiled from Lahore.
Mulla Shah, a Qadiriyya Sufi and teacher of Dara Shikoh, discussed Wahdat-al-wujud with Dara Shikoh and Shah Jahan and was condemned/exiled by Aurangzeb for his association and views. Miyan Mir, his teacher, passed away before Aurangzeb’s reign began.
The concept of Wahdat-al-wujud posits the ultimate unity of existence, where God is the only reality. This concept was interpreted in various ways by different Sufis and was sometimes seen as controversial by orthodox ulema. Dara Shikoh’s philosophical interests, including his work “Majma-ul-Bahrain” (Confluence of Two Seas) comparing Hindu and Sufi philosophies, were opposed by Aurangzeb.

37. The Sahajiya Cult, which can be traced back to 10th and 11th centuries

The Sahajiya Cult, which can be traced back to 10th and 11th centuries, is usually associated with :

early Bhakti traditions
a kind of early Sufism
early Upanishadic philosophy
Buddhism
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The Sahajiya cult originated from the Sahajayana, a tantric school of Buddhism that developed in Bengal and parts of eastern India around the 8th-11th centuries. It emphasized the attainment of enlightenment through ‘sahaja’ (the natural state) and esoteric practices. Elements of Sahajiya also influenced later Vaishnavism in Bengal (Sahajiya Vaishnavism), but its origins are firmly rooted in tantric Buddhism.
– Sahajayana is considered one of the later stages of Indian Buddhism, evolving from Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.
– The Sahajiyas emphasized love, sexuality, and the human body as means to liberation, often challenging conventional social norms and religious rituals.
– The Charyapada, a collection of mystical poems composed by Mahasiddhas (great accomplished ones), is a key text of the Sahajiya tradition, dating from this period.
While Sahajiya later influenced some aspects of Bhakti traditions (particularly Vaishnavism in Bengal), its historical origin in the 10th-11th centuries is directly linked to the esoteric Buddhist practices of the time. It is distinct from early Bhakti traditions (which were diverse and geographically widespread), Sufism (an Islamic mystical tradition), and early Upanishadic philosophy (which predates it by over a thousand years).

38. Which of the following statements about the Vaishnava saint of Assam,

Which of the following statements about the Vaishnava saint of Assam, Shankardeva, is/are correct ?

  • His teachings are often known as the Bhagavati dharma.
  • He encouraged the establishment of satras or monasteries and namghars or prayer halls for the transmission of spiritual knowledge.
  • His major compositions include the Kirtana-ghosha.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
3 only
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The correct answer is C) 1, 2 and 3.
All three statements regarding the Vaishnava saint Shankardeva are correct.
1. His teachings are often known as the Bhagavati dharma or Eka Sharana Dharma, emphasizing devotion (Bhakti) to a single God, usually identified with Krishna or Vishnu, drawing heavily from the Bhagavata Purana.
2. He established institutions like satras (monastic centers) and namghars (community prayer halls) which served as vital centers for religious practice, learning, and cultural activities, facilitating the transmission of his spiritual knowledge and movement across Assam.
3. The Kirtana-ghosha is one of the most important and popular literary works of Shankardeva, consisting of hymns and narratives related to Krishna, widely used in devotional practices in the Eka Sharana Dharma tradition.
Shankardeva (1449-1568) was a towering figure in the cultural and religious history of Assam, credited with unifying the Assamese society through his devotional movement. He contributed significantly to Assamese literature, music, drama, and dance, shaping many aspects of Assamese culture.

39. Who among the following is not a woman Nayanar saint ?

Who among the following is not a woman Nayanar saint ?

Karaikkal Ammaiyar
Mangayarkkarasiyar
Andal
Isaignaniyar
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Andal is not a woman Nayanar saint; she is a famous woman saint among the Alwars.
Nayanars were Tamil Shaivite poet-saints who lived between the 6th and 10th centuries CE. There are 63 Nayanars, including several women like Karaikkal Ammaiyar, Mangayarkkarasiyar, and Isaignaniyar. Alwars were Tamil Vaishnavite poet-saints who also composed devotional hymns. Andal is the only female Alwar and is highly revered in Vaishnavism.
Karaikkal Ammaiyar is one of the earliest Nayanars, known for her fervent devotion and ascetic life. Mangayarkkarasiyar was the queen of the Pandya king Nedumaran and a devout Shaivite. Isaignaniyar was the mother of Sundarar, one of the three principal Nayanars (Thevaram trio).

40. The town of Chisht, from which the Sufi Chishti Silsila derives its na

The town of Chisht, from which the Sufi Chishti Silsila derives its name, is located in

Western Turkey
Central Afghanistan
Eastern Iran
Eastern Iraq
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The Chishtiya Silsila, one of the most influential Sufi orders in the Indian subcontinent, originated in the town of Chisht. Chisht is a small town located about 120 kilometers east of Herat in present-day Afghanistan.
The order was founded by Abu Ishaq Shami (d. 941-42 CE) in Chisht. However, it was Khwaja Mu’inuddin Chishti who is credited with introducing the order to India in the 12th century CE.
The Chishti order emphasized love, peace, tolerance, and detachment from worldly affairs. Its followers in India were known for their inclusive approach and popularity among both Muslims and non-Muslims. Ajmer Sharif Dargah of Khwaja Mu’inuddin Chishti is a major pilgrimage site.
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