Passage Based Questions: Bhakti-Sufi traditions | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Passage - 1

Direction: Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

A Demon?
This is an excerpt from a poem by Karaikkal Ammiyar in which she describes herself:
The female Pey (demoness) with … bulging veins, protruding eyes, white teeth and shrunken stomach,
red haired and jutting teeth
lengthy shines extending till the ankles,
shouts and wails while wandering in the forest.
this is the forest of Alankatu, which is the home of our father (Shiva).
who dances … with his matted hair thrown in all eight directions, and with cool limbs.

Q1: How does Karaikkal Ammaiyar's self-description differ from traditional notions of beauty?
Ans: She depicted herself as a demoness with bulging veins, protruding eyes, white teeth, and a shrunken stomach.

Q2: In what ways does Ammaiyar's depiction challenge patriarchal norms?
Ans: According to patriarchal norms, a woman is expected to be delicate, beautiful, and the caretaker of the home. By portraying herself as a demoness, she challenges these norms.

Q3: Identify and explain two aspects of Ammaiyar's renunciation of social obligations.
Ans: Two aspects are her wandering in forests and her dancing like Shiva with cool limbs.

Passage - 2

Direction: Read the following excerpt carefully and answer the questions that follow:

RITUAL AND THE REAL WORLD
Here is a vachana composed by Basavanna:
When they see a serpent carved in stone
they pour milk on it.
If a real serpent comes they say:
‘Kill’, ‘Kill’.
To the servant of the God who could eat if served
they say:
‘Go away’, ‘Go away’!
But to the image of the God which cannot eat
they offer dishes of food.

Q1: Who was Basavanna?
Ans: Basavanna was a Brahmana (1106-68), initially a Jaina, and a Minister in the Court of a Chalukya king.

Q2: Which region and religious movement was Basavanna associated with?
Ans: He was from the Karnataka region, and the cult he founded was known as Lingayats (Wearers of Linga) or Virashaivas (heroes of Lord Shiva).

Q3: How did Basavanna view the role of rituals?
Ans: Lingayats believed that after death, the devotee would be united with Shiva. Therefore, they did not practice funeral rites like cremation but instead buried their dead. They opposed the caste system and supported post-puberty marriage and widow remarriage.