Question

During which times did the Bhakti and Sufi movements take place in India?
1. Medieval times
2. Modern times
3. Ancient times
4. Postmodern times

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Medieval times

The correct answer is Medieval times.

• During Medieval times did the Bhakti and Sufi movements take place in India. 
• The Sufi movement was a socio-religious movement of the fourteenth to the sixteenth century.
  • The exponents of this movement were unorthodox Muslim saints who had a deep study of Vedantic philosophy and Buddhism of India. 
  • This movement influenced both the Muslims and Hindus and thus, provided a common platform for the two.
• There were some leading Sufi saints like Khwaja Muinuddin Chisti, Fariuddin Ganj-i-Shakar, Nizam-ud-din Auliya, etc.

• The Bhakti movement was another glorious religious movement in the history of India.
  • It was purely based on devotion to God and nothing else.
• Devotion means Bhakti through which one can realize God.
• The chief exponents of this cult were Ramanuja, Nimbarka, Ramananda, Vallabhacharya, Kabir, Nanak, and Sri Chaityana.
• They preached the doctrine of love and devotion to realize God.
• Therefore the movement came to be known as Bhakti Movement.