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

Q1: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The principal deity at Puri was identified as Jagannatha, a form of Vishnu. This local deity, whose image was made of wood by tribal specialists, was recognized as a form of Vishnu, yet Vishnu was visualized differently than in other parts of India.

i. Who was the principal deity in Puri? (1 mark)
ii. How did the depiction of Jagannatha differ from other forms of Vishnu? (2 marks)
iii. Why is the integration of local cults significant in the context of the history of religious traditions? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. The principal deity in Puri is Jagannatha, a form of Vishnu.
ii. Jagannatha was depicted as a local wooden idol, created by tribal specialists, which differed from other forms of Vishnu in other regions, where the deity was typically visualized in anthropomorphic forms.
iii. The integration of local cults demonstrates how regional beliefs and practices were absorbed into mainstream traditions, creating a more inclusive religious framework.

Q2: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

In the traditions of the Alvars and Nayanars, some women played a prominent role. Andal, a woman Alvar, expressed her devotion to Vishnu, while Karaikkal Ammaiyar adopted extreme asceticism to attain her goal of devotion to Shiva.

i. Who was Andal, and what was her role in the Bhakti movement? (1 mark)
ii. How did Karaikkal Ammaiyar’s devotion to Shiva challenge traditional norms? (2 marks)
iii. Why is the participation of women in these Bhakti movements important? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Andal was a woman Alvar who expressed her love and devotion to Vishnu through devotional hymns.
ii. Karaikkal Ammaiyar’s devotion to Shiva was marked by extreme asceticism, defying traditional norms of femininity and societal expectations.
iii. The participation of women in Bhakti movements was important because it challenged patriarchal norms and allowed women to engage actively in religious practices.

Q3: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Many goddess cults were integrated into the Puranic traditions, with local deities often being identified as wives of principal male gods such as Vishnu and Shiva. Tantric practices, associated with the goddess, were widespread and allowed for more inclusive worship.

i. How were local goddess cults integrated into the Puranic traditions? (1 mark)
ii. What were the key features of Tantric practices in worship? (2 marks)
iii. Why was the integration of goddess worship significant in the evolution of religious practices in India? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Local goddess cults were integrated by identifying them as the wives of principal male gods like Vishnu and Shiva, thus placing them within the Puranic pantheon.
ii. Tantric practices allowed for inclusive worship, open to both men and women, often ignoring caste differences in rituals.
iii. The integration of goddess worship helped broaden religious practices, making them more accessible and inclusive, especially for women and marginalized groups.

Q4: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The Alvars and Nayanars were influential in Tamil Nadu, travelling and singing hymns in praise of Vishnu and Shiva. These hymns later became part of temple rituals and helped establish major shrines as pilgrimage centers.

i. Who were the Alvars and Nayanars? (1 mark)
ii. How did the Alvars and Nayanars influence temple worship? (2 marks)
iii. What role did the hymns of the Alvars and Nayanars play in Tamil devotional practices? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. The Alvars and Nayanars were poet-saints who devoted themselves to Vishnu and Shiva, respectively, through hymns and devotional practices.
ii. Their hymns were incorporated into temple rituals, and the places where they worshipped became major pilgrimage centers.
iii. The hymns of the Alvars and Nayanars played a central role in Tamil devotional practices, contributing to the shaping of Bhakti traditions and temple rituals.

Q5: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Some historians suggest that the Alvars and Nayanars, through their compositions, protested against the caste system. Many bhaktas hailed from diverse social backgrounds, including artisans and “untouchables.”

i. How did the Alvars and Nayanars challenge the caste system? (1 mark)
ii. What does the social diversity of the bhaktas suggest about the Bhakti movement? (2 marks)
iii. Why was the involvement of lower castes in Bhakti movements significant? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. The Alvars and Nayanars challenged the caste system by hailing from various social backgrounds and promoting the idea that devotion to God was open to all, irrespective of caste.
ii. The social diversity of the bhaktas suggests that the Bhakti movement was inclusive, attracting people from various castes and social strata, breaking down traditional barriers.
iii. The involvement of lower castes was significant because it promoted social equality and challenged the rigid caste hierarchy in traditional religious practices.

Q6: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The poems of Andal, a woman Alvar, expressed her love and devotion for Vishnu. Her compositions, along with those of other female saints like Karaikkal Ammaiyar, were widely sung.

i. Who was Andal, and what was her contribution to the Bhakti movement? (1 mark)
ii. How did Andal’s compositions influence the Bhakti tradition? (2 marks)
iii. Why were female saints like Andal significant in the Bhakti tradition? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Andal was a woman Alvar who expressed her deep love and devotion to Vishnu through her compositions.
ii. Andal’s compositions became a key part of the Bhakti tradition, inspiring devotion and setting an example for women to participate actively in spiritual practices.
iii. Female saints like Andal were significant because they challenged patriarchal norms, offering a path for women to actively engage in religious and spiritual life.

Q7: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Bhakti movements, such as those led by Kabir, emphasized devotion to the formless God and rejected ritual sacrifices and idol worship, promoting peace and harmony.

i. What was Kabir’s view on idol worship and ritual sacrifices? (1 mark)
ii. How did Kabir’s teachings promote unity across religious lines? (2 marks)
iii. Why was Kabir’s approach to religion significant in the context of his time? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Kabir rejected idol worship and ritual sacrifices, emphasising instead a devotion to a formless God.
ii. Kabir’s teachings promoted unity by transcending religious divisions, suggesting that all religions were ultimately expressions of the same divine truth.
iii. Kabir’s approach was significant because it offered an alternative to the entrenched religious divisions of his time and encouraged spiritual equality.

Q8: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Sufis, particularly the Chishtis, focused on intense devotion and love for God. They often lived in khanqahs (hospices) where they guided their disciples in mystical practices.

i. Who were the Chishtis, and what was their main spiritual practice? (1 mark)
ii. How did the Chishtis interact with local devotional traditions? (2 marks)
iii. Why were the Chishtis influential in the spread of Sufism in India? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. The Chishtis were Sufis known for their focus on intense devotion and love for God, guiding disciples in mystical practices at khanqahs.
ii. The Chishtis interacted with local traditions by incorporating practices such as singing devotional hymns and using local languages. This approach created a blend of Sufi mysticism with Indian devotional practices.
iii. The Chishtis were influential because they made Sufism accessible to the masses, using local languages and practices to attract a broad following.

Q9: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Pilgrimage to the tombs of Sufi saints, such as Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti in Ajmer, became a widespread practice, attracting people from all walks of life.

i. Why did people visit the tombs of Sufi saints? (1 mark)
ii. How did pilgrimage to Sufi shrines contribute to the spread of Sufism? (2 marks)
iii. What role did pilgrimage play in the religious practices of the time? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. People visited the tombs of Sufi saints to seek spiritual blessings and material benefits, believing that the saints were closer to God after death.
ii. Pilgrimage to Sufi shrines significantly contributed to the spread of Sufism by fostering devotion among diverse groups, including both Hindus and Muslims. This interaction created a shared space for spiritual expression and cross-cultural exchange.
iii. Pilgrimage played a central role in religious practices by bringing people together. It allowed individuals to participate in communal worship and foster a deeper connection with the divine.

Q10: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Sultans in India often sought the blessings of Sufis, believing that their spiritual authority could legitimize royal power and bring prosperity.

i. Why did Sultans seek the blessings of Sufis? (1 mark)
ii. How did Sufis maintain their distance from political power while still engaging with it? (2 marks)
iii. Why was the relationship between Sufis and the state significant? (1 mark)

Ans:
i. Sultans sought the blessings of Sufis to legitimize their rule, as Sufi saints were believed to have spiritual authority and could intercede with God for the ruler’s success.
ii. Sufis maintained their distance from worldly power by rejecting direct political involvement. However, they accepted donations and support from rulers, which allowed them to preserve their spiritual integrity while benefiting from royal patronage.
iii. The relationship was significant because it highlighted the intersection of spiritual authority and political power, demonstrating how religious leaders could influence state affairs.