Test: Bhakti Sufi Traditions- 1 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

Nalayira Divyaprabandham was composed in the tenth century AD. Its acceptance as Tamil Veda shows the influence of Alvars and Nayanars in South Indian society. This anthology is said to be composed by 12 Alvars.

- Statement i is correct because it accurately reflects the worship practices of the time, highlighting the role of rulers in temple patronage for deities like Vishnu and Shiva.

- Statement ii is incorrect; the arrival of the Turks and the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate indeed weakened the Rajput states.

- Statement iii is correct, as it points out the emergence of alternative religious leaders who challenged Vedic norms using accessible language.

- Statement iv is incorrect; there is no evidence of movements similar to the Alvars and Nayanars in this period until the 14th century.

Thus, the correct answer is Option A: i and iii.

• The Assertion is true: The Chola rulers indeed played a pivotal role in temple construction, especially for Hindu deities like Shiva and Vishnu.
• The Reason is false: The temples were primarily constructed to promote Brahmanical and bhakti traditions, not Buddhism and Jainism.
• Since the Assertion is true and the Reason is false, Option C is the correct answer.

- Statement i is correct as Basavanna did indeed found the Virashaiva movement in the 12th century and emphasized the worship of Shiva in the form of the linga.

- Statement ii is incorrect; Lingayats do not perform cremation rituals but instead ceremonially bury their dead.

- Statement iii is correct as the Virashaiva movement did challenge Brahmanical norms, including those related to caste and supported practices like widow remarriage.

- Statement iv is correct; vachanas are indeed the primary texts that articulate the beliefs and teachings of the Virashaiva tradition.

Thus, the correct statements are i, iii, and iv, making Option B the right choice.

The khanqah was the centre of social life for the Sufis. Shaikh Nizamuddin’s hospice, during the fourteenth century, was located on the banks of the river Yamuna in Ghiyaspur, on the outskirts of what was then the city of Delhi.

- Statement i is correct as it states that Arab merchants established trade links along the western coast of the Indian subcontinent from early centuries CE, which indeed facilitated the introduction of Islam to that region.

- Statement ii is incorrect because while the Delhi Sultanate was established by Turks and Afghans in the 13th century, Islamic rulers generally respected the religious institutions of non-Muslim subjects, as noted in the provided content.

- Statement iii is correct; Muslims in the subcontinent adhered to fundamental Islamic practices while also integrating local customs, creating a unique blend of religious and cultural practices.

- Statement iv is incorrect because mosques in the subcontinent do display regional variations in architectural styles, demonstrating a synthesis of universal Islamic elements with local traditions.

Thus, the correct statements are i and iii, making option A the correct answer.

• The Assertion is true as Sufism did indeed arise as a reaction against the materialistic tendencies of the Caliphate.
• The Reason is also true because Sufis emphasized devotion and love for God, which was often at odds with the more formalized practices of mainstream Islam.
• The Reason correctly explains the Assertion, as the spiritual focus of Sufism was a direct critique of the institutionalized practices of the time.

Answer: Option C

Solution:
Kabir (A) is known for his belief in the Ultimate Reality, which he described using diverse traditions, including Islamic and Vedantic concepts. Baba Guru Nanak (B) advocated Nirguna Bhakti, believing in a formless divine (1). Mirabai (C) is recognized for her devotion to Krishna as her lover (3). Basavanna (D) founded the Virashaiva movement (4).

- The Assertion is true as khanqahs are indeed centers for community and spiritual guidance under a shaikh.

- The Reason is false because khanqahs are deeply rooted in spiritual traditions and practices, including established rules of conduct.

- Therefore, while both the Assertion and Reason are true, the Reason does not correctly explain the Assertion. The khanqah's role as a community hub is influenced by its structure and traditions, which are not independent.

Statement I is true because the Chola rulers supported Brahmanical and Bhakti traditions by constructing temples for deities like Vishnu and Shiva. Statement II is false because Kabir did not exclusively draw on Islamic traditions; he also incorporated ideas from Vedantic and Yogic traditions to describe the Ultimate Reality.