Short & Long Questions: Socio-religious Movements in India | Footprints Class 7: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

Short Answer Questions

Q1: What is Bhakti?
Ans: Bhakti refers to personal devotion to a supreme entity with complete surrender or devotion.

Q2: Who was Adi Shankaracharya?
Ans: Adi Shankaracharya was a Hindu thinker who re-examined and reformed early Vedic philosophy, propagating Advaita where the individual soul and the Supreme God are considered one.

Q3: What was the main message of Basavanna?
Ans: Basavanna emphasized monotheism, equality, humility, and dignity of labor, rejecting caste discrimination and promoting devotion to Shiva.

Q4: Who were the Alvars and Nayanars?
Ans: The Alvars and Nayanars were Bhakti saints in south India who preached personal devotion to Vishnu and Shiva respectively, emphasizing salvation through devotion to God.

Q5: What were the beliefs of Kabir?
Ans: Kabir believed in one God, rejected idol worship and discrimination, promoted unity, peace, and humanity, and emphasized the guidance of a guru for spiritual reform.

Q6: Who was Guru Nanak?
Ans: Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism, emphasizing one God, social commitment, denouncing idol worship, and promoting equality, communal dining, and gender inclusivity.

Q7: What is the essence of Sufism?
Ans: Sufism is a mystical movement in Islam that focuses on prayers, meditation, simplicity, and love for God, rejecting elaborate rituals and promoting unity and compassion.

Q8: How did the Bhakti and Sufi movements influence Indian society?
Ans: The Bhakti and Sufi movements emphasized tolerance, non-violence, universal brotherhood, and equality, fostering a culture of coexistence and influencing societal harmony.

Q9: What was the impact of Basavanna's teachings on society?
Ans: Basavanna's teachings promoted monotheism, equality, humility, and dignity of labor, transforming society by encouraging collective discussions, spiritual devotion, and social inclusivity.

Q10: How did the Alvars and Nayanars contribute to the Bhakti movement?
Ans: The Alvars and Nayanars spread the Bhakti movement in south India by advocating personal devotion to Vishnu and Shiva, transcending caste barriers, and emphasizing salvation through devotion to God.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: Explain the key features of the Bhakti and Sufi movements in India.
Ans:

• The Bhakti movement emphasized devotion to a Supreme God, rejecting the caste system and encouraging love, devotion, and surrender to God.
• It promoted the use of poetry, hymns, music, and dance to connect with the divine, using local languages to spread its ideas.
• Bhakti saints questioned authority, rejected elaborate rituals, and believed in the equality of all individuals, regardless of their background.
• The Sufi movement, on the other hand, focused on compassion towards all, rejecting outward religiosity and emphasizing love, devotion, and surrender to God.
• Sufis practiced rituals such as collective prayers and rejected idol worship, believing in equality and brotherhood among all people.

Q2: Discuss the impact of the socio-religious movements on Indian society.
Ans:

• The Bhakti and Sufi movements promoted tolerance, non-violence, and the coexistence of diverse communities in India.
• They emphasized universal brotherhood, rejection of the caste system, and the equality of all human beings.
• These movements encouraged the use of local languages, abandoned elaborate rituals, and fostered a sense of unity among people.
• India's composite culture was strengthened as these movements emphasized devotion to and love for God, transcending religious boundaries.
• The teachings of Bhakti and Sufi saints continue to influence Indian society, promoting values of peace, harmony, and acceptance of diversity.

Q3: Describe the contributions of Guru Nanak to the formation of Sikhism.
Ans:

• Guru Nanak emphasized belief in one God, pious conduct, and the importance of a spiritual teacher or guru.
• He rejected idol worship and advocated for liberation through active engagement with society and social commitment.
• Guru Nanak established langar, where people of all backgrounds could eat together, promoting equality and unity.
• He created a sacred space known as gurdwara, where men and women could attend his sermons and worship together.
• Guru Nanak's teachings laid the foundation for Sikhism, emphasizing simplicity, equality, and devotion to a single divine entity.

Q4: Analyze the significance of the Alvars and Nayanars in the Bhakti movement of South India.
Ans:

• The Alvars and Nayanars were instrumental in spreading personal devotion to God in South India, focusing on Vishnu and Shiva, respectively.
• They preached that salvation could be achieved through heartfelt devotion and service to the divine.
• These saints transcended caste barriers, allowing people from all social backgrounds to join their spiritual orders.
• Their emphasis on personal connection with God and rejection of rigid rituals influenced the Bhakti movement, promoting inclusivity and spiritual equality.
• The Alvars and Nayanars' teachings continue to inspire followers to cultivate deep devotion and lead a life dedicated to serving the divine.

Q5: Explain the teachings and impact of Basavanna on the Lingayat sect in Karnataka.
Ans:

• Basavanna, a 12th-century social reformer, rejected traditional practices like temple worship and caste discrimination.
• He advocated for the equality of all individuals and promoted monotheism, emphasizing devotion to Lord Shiva.
• Basavanna's teachings centered on humility, honest work, and respect for all members of society, regardless of their social status.
• He established principles like Lingachara, Sadachara, Shivachara, Bhrityachara, and Ganachara to guide the community's conduct and beliefs.
• Through his vachanas and the Anubhava Mantapa, Basavanna encouraged open dialogue, spiritual inquiry, and the propagation of a monotheistic worldview among his followers.