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Bhakti & Sufi Movements — UPSC Prelims Ancient & Medieval previous year questions

10 solved previous year questions on Bhakti & Sufi Movements, papers from 1996 to 2019, drawn from State PCS, UPSC CSE Prelims, UPPCS. Each carries the printed answer key and the explanation from the source compilation.

1. #1UPSC CSE Prelims 1996
   Prem Vatika, poems on the life of Krishna, was composed by
   • ABihari
   • BSurdas
   • CRaskhan
   • DKabir
   Answer: (C) Raskhan
   Explanation

   Option c is the correct was a Hindi poet who was both a Muslim follower of Lord Krishna. His birth name was He composed Prem Vatika, poems on the life in praise of his devotion and love for Radh a. in Vrindavan and died in 1628 A.D. - He was a Vallabhacharya, the founder of the Vallabhacharya sect

2. #2Previous year
   What is Sant Bhasha? [CAPF 2019)
   • ALanguage of the Nirguna mystics
   • BLanguage of the Ulatbansi mystics
   • CLanguage of the Nirakar mystics
   • DLanguage of the Saguna mystics
   Answer: (A) Language of the Nirguna mystics
   Explanation

   Option a is the correct e I,. Sant Bhasha refers to the language used by the Nirguna mystics in their spiritual and devotional compositions. The term "Sant Bhasha" translates to "language of the saints" and is associated with the devotional poetry and teachings of the Bhakti movement in medieval India. The Nirguna mystics, such as Kabir, Namdev, and Guru Nanak, emphasized the formless and attributeless nature of the divine, focusing on the spiritual realization of a higher truth beyond the confines of religious rituals and societal divisions. Their compositions in Sant Bhasha often expressed their devotion, philosophical insights, and social criticism

3. #3UPPCS 2019
   With reference to Hath Yog, which of the following statement is/are correct? 1. Hath Yog was practised by Nathpanthis. 2. Hath Yog technique was also adopted by the Sufis.Select the correct answer using the codes given below
   • A1 only
   • B2 only
   • CBoth 1 and 2
   • DNeither 1 nor 2
   Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
   Explanation

   Option c is correct Yog is a form of physical yoga that involves breathing exercises and meditation to I is correct: Hath Yog was practiced who were a group of religious people in period who believed in the rejection of the the realization of the formless one. They were also Siddhas and Yogis and they criticized the and social order of their 2 is correct: Hath Yog technique was also the Sufis, who were Muslim mystics who sought connection with God through love, devotion They also questioned the existing laws of Islam and developed various methods to train

4. #4JPSC 2016
   The most orthodox Sufi orde'r was
   • AChishti
   • BSuhrawardi
   • CNaqshbandi
   • DQadiri
   Answer: (C) Naqshbandi
   Explanation

   Option c is the correct most orthodox Sufi order was Naqshbandiya. was founded by Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari 14th century and was based on the principle of (remembrance of God) rather than vocal or Important Tips Features of Naqshbandiya Sufi order: The Naqshbandis believed that music and dance were distractions from the true path of God and could lead to idolatry and hypocrisy. They also opposed the veneration of saints and shrines, which were common practices among other Sufi orders. They placed a great deal of emphasis on shari'a (Islamic) law and the strict observance of orthodox requirements in th e areas of worship and social affairs They also had a rigidly hierarchical structure with a hereditary position of the shaykh or leader, who represented a spiritual genealogy tracing back to the prophet

5. #5UPSC CDS 2018
   The idea of 'Farr-i-Izadi', on which the Mughal kingship was based, was first developed by which one of the following Sufi saints?
   • AShihabuddin Suhrawardi
   • BNizamuddin Auliya
   • CIbn al-Arabi
   • DBayazid Bistami
   Answer: (A) Shihabuddin Suhrawardi
   Explanation

   Option a is the correct answer m is a Persian term that means "Divine Light". It concept in Islamic mysticism that refers to the divine is said to reside in the heart of the Muslim ruler. of Farr-i-Izadi was first developed by the Sufi Suhrawardi

6. #6State PCS 2005
   A common feature to all Bhakti Saints was that they
   • AComposed their verses in the language understood by their followers
   • BRejected the authority of the priestly class
   • CEncouraged women to go to the temples
   • DEncouraged idol worship
   Answer: (B) Rejected the authority of the priestly class
   Explanation

   Option b is the correct Bhatta Goswami was a 16th-century and author. He was a major figure in the tradition. He is the author of several including the Vraja Bhakti Vilasa. The Vraja is a Sanskrit text that focuses on the Braj region India. It is a collection of stories and poems life of Krishna

7. #7State PCS 2010
   'God knows man's virtues and enquires not his caste, in the next world there is no caste. This was the theory of which Bhakti saint?
   • ARamanand
   • BDadu
   • CNanak
   • DRamanuja
   Answer: (C) Nanak
   Explanation

   Option c is the correct Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, propagated of the equality of all human beings before the emphasized that God judges individuals based on and actions rather than their caste or social Nanak's teachings challenged the prevailing and social inequalities, advocating for a society individuals are treated with respect and love, regardless background. The concept of the casteless society recognition of the inherent worth of every fundamental principles in Sikhism. Important Tips Guru Nanak Dev: Guru Nanak Dev was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. He was born on April 15, 1469 in Rai Bhoi di Talvandi, which is now Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. Guru Nanak Dev emphasized devotion to a single, formless God, equality, social justice, and rejection of divisions His teachings are encapsulated in the Japji Sahib, outlining his spiritual message in t

8. #8Practice set
   Consider the following statements with reference to the Bhakti saints Nayanars and Alvars:l. In their hymnal compositions, both sects attempted to demonstrate that their respective gods were superior to the other. 2. The literature of the Alvars or Vaishnava saints are known as 'Tevaram'. 3. The literature of the Nayanars or Saiva saints are known as 'Naalayira Divya Prabhanda'. PracticeHow many of the statements given above are correct?
   • AOnly one
   • BOnly two
   • CAll three
   • DNone
   Answer: (A) Only one
   Explanation

   Option a is the correct e Bhakti movement in South India started with Al vars 1 is correct: Characterized by intense and strong desire of mystical union with the hymns emerged as the first concrete religious sectarianism in Tamil. In both sets of the Nayanars and the Alvars other and attempted to demonstrate through that their respective gods were superior to 2 is incorrect The Alvars, which literally immersed in God", were Vaishnava poet-saints praises of Vishnu or his avatar Krishna as they one place to another. They were propagators and regarded Vishnu or Krishna as the There were 12 Alvars. They composed hymns in of Vishnu and his avatars which are compiled in Dh,ya 3 is incorrect: Nayanars were originally a 63 Tamil saints devoted to Lord Shiva. The details of and of the saints are described in the work is also called the Dravida Veda. At the request Chola king Raja Raja I, his prie

9. #9Practice set
   With reference to India's culture and tradition, what is 'Kalaripayattu'?
   • AIt is an ancient Bhakti cult of Shaivism still prevalent in some parts of South India
   • BIt is an ancient style bronze and brasswork still found in southern part of Coromandel area
   • CIt is an ancient form of dance-drama and a living tradition in the northern part of Malabar
   • DIt is an ancient martial art and a living tradition irt some parts of South India
   Answer: (B) It is an ancient style bronze and brasswork still found in southern part of Coromandel area
   Explanation

   Option b is the correct Shah also known as Ahmad Shah was elected the successor of Nadir Shah after death in 1747, invaded India several times and 1757, Abdali captured Delhi and he appointed the Najib-ud-Daula, as Mir Bakhshi of the empire, to act as personal supreme agent of Ahdali. In was expelled from Delhi by the Raghunath Rao, who also captured Punjab. In Shah Abdali to India to take revenge Marathas and the result was the third Battle of 1761, in which Abdali defeated the

10. #10Full-length test
    Which of the following statements is/ are correct with reference to the bhakti saint, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu? 1. He is considered as the founder of a religious movement known as Gaudiya Vaishnavism. 2. He composed a Sanskrit prayer which is known as 'Siksastakam' 3. He was contemporary to the Mughal rulers Jahangir and Shah Jahan.How many of the above given statements are correct?
    • AOnly one
    • BOnly two
    • CAll three
    • DNone
    Answer: (B) Only two
    Explanation

    Option b is the correct Mahaprabhu {1486-1534) was born in Bengal, India. He was an ardent devotee the chanting of "Hare Rama 1 Hare Krislin a 'saguna' bhakti saint and popularized kirtans as a worshipping I is correct: Chaitnya Mahaprabhu is of It is a religious promotes Vaishnavism or worship of Lord the Supreme Soul. Gaudiya Vaishnavism teaches of Bhakti yoga as a method to realize the According to Gaudiya Vaishnavism, liberation is of Atman into 2 is correct: Chaitnaya Mahaprabhu prayer in Sanskrit, which is known as 'Sikastakam'. eight verses. It is the only written record of 3 is incorrect: Chaitnya Mahaprabliu lived period 1486-1534. Jahangir was born in the year 1569 Jahan in 1592. Chaitnya Mahaprabhu was Alauddin Hussain Shah, founder of Hussain Shahi Bengal Sultanate. Important Tips Chaitanya Mahaprabhu taught the philosophy of Achintaya Bheda-Abheda. Chaitnya Mahaprabhu is the

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