Bhakti & Sufi — Set 1
Indian History · भक्ति और सूफी · Questions 1–10 of 50
The 'Alvars' of South India were devoted to which deity?
Correct Answer: B. Lord Vishnu
The Alvars were Tamil poet-saints who were devoted to Lord Vishnu. They played a key role in the Bhakti movement in South India between the 6th and 9th centuries. Their hymns are collected in the 'Nalayira Divya Prabandham'.
Which group of saints in South India was devoted to Lord Shiva?
Correct Answer: C. Nayanars
The Nayanars were a group of 63 saints devoted to Lord Shiva. They lived in Tamil Nadu between the 6th and 8th centuries CE. Their compositions are compiled in the 'Tevaram' and 'Tirumurai'.
Who authored the famous 'Ramcharitmanas' in the Awadhi language?
Correct Answer: C. Tulsidas
Tulsidas wrote the Ramcharitmanas in the 16th century in Awadhi. He is considered one of the greatest poets in Hindi literature and a devotee of Lord Rama. The text makes the story of Rama accessible to the common people.
Who is considered the founder of the Chishti Sufi order in India?
Correct Answer: C. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti
Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti established the Chishti order in India at Ajmer. He arrived in India during the rule of Prithviraj Chauhan in the late 12th century. His Dargah in Ajmer is a major pilgrimage site for people of all faiths.
The Suhrawardi Sufi order was primarily popular in which region of medieval India?
Correct Answer: B. Punjab and Sindh
The Suhrawardi order became popular chiefly in Punjab and Sindh. Unlike the Chishtis, the Suhrawardi saints accepted royal patronage and held government posts. Sheikh Bahauddin Zakariya was a prominent saint of this order.
Which philosophy was propounded by Adi Shankaracharya?
Correct Answer: A. Advaita Vedanta
Adi Shankaracharya propounded the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta (Non-dualism). It teaches that the individual soul (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) are one. He established four Mathas in the four corners of India to spread this philosophy.
Who was the Guru of the famous saint Kabir?
Correct Answer: A. Ramananda
Ramananda is traditionally considered the Guru of Kabir. Ramananda was a Vaishnava saint who opened the door of Bhakti to all, regardless of caste or gender. He preached in Hindi, making his message accessible to the masses.
Mirabai, a famous Bhakti saint, composed her songs primarily in which dialect?
Correct Answer: D. Braj/Rajasthani
Mirabai composed her devotional songs in Braj Bhasha and Rajasthani dialects. She was a Rajput princess who became a staunch devotee of Lord Krishna. Her poems express intense personal devotion and are known as 'Padavali'.
Where was Guru Nanak Dev born?
Correct Answer: A. Talwandi (Nankana Sahib)
Guru Nanak Dev was born in 1469 at Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. He was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. He preached the message of one God (Ik Onkar) and equality of all humans.
In Sufism, what does the term 'Khanqah' refer to?
Correct Answer: C. A hospice or rest house
A Khanqah refers to a hospice, rest house, or monastery where Sufi saints lived and preached. It served as a center for spiritual training and community service (Langar). People from all walks of life visited Khanqahs to seek blessings.