Bhakti and Sufi Movement: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Medieval History)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Bhakti and Sufi Movement (Medieval History). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 2002Medieval History · Bhakti and Sufi Movement
Q1. With reference to Sufism in Indian history, consider the following statements: 1. Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi was a contemporary of Ibrahim Lodi 2. Sheikh Nasiruddin Chirag-I-Dehlavi was a disciple of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya 3. Aurangzeb was a contemporary of Sheikh Salim Chisti 4. Qadiri order of Sufis was first introduced in India by Sheikh Niamutullah and Makhdum Muhammad Jilani. Which of these statements are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is Incorrect: Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi, known as Mujaddid Alf Sani, lived during the Mughal period and was a contemporary of Akbar and Jahangir long after Ibrahim Lodi (who ruled from 1517 to 1526).
Statement 2 is Correct: Sheikh Nasiruddin Chirag-i-Dehlavi was a prominent disciple of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya, carrying forward the Chishti Sufi order in Delhi.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Sheikh Salim Chisti, a revered Sufi saint of the Chishti order, was associated with Akbar’s reign and was not contemporary to Aurangzeb. He is known for his spiritual influence at Emperor Akbar’s court and for blessing him with the birth of his son, Salim (later Emperor Jahangir).
Statement 4 is Correct: The Qadiri Sufi order was one of the oldest in India and was introduced by saints like Sheikh Niamutullah and Makhdum Muhammad Jilani in the Deccant. These saints and orders significantly influenced Indian society by promoting spiritualism, tolerance, and equality.
UPSC 2002Medieval History · Bhakti and Sufi Movement
Q2. Who among the following was the first Bhakti saint to use Hindi for the propagation of his message?
Explanation
Ramananda, a 14th-century Bhakti saint, was the first to use Hindi and its dialects to spread devotional teachings, making Bhakti accessible to the common people. He focused on devotion to Lord Rama, rejected caste hierarchies, and advocated equality in worship. His followers, including Kabir, Ravidas, Tulsidas, and Dadu, further popularized Hindi, solidifying Ramananda’s role in using the vernacular for religious reform.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2002
(d) 2 and 4
2
2002
(c) Ramananda
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Bhakti and Sufi Movement?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Bhakti and Sufi Movement (Medieval History), asked from 1996 to 2022. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Bhakti and Sufi Movement?
Questions on Bhakti and Sufi Movement (Medieval History) are available for 13 years, from 1996 to 2022. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
