Q21. Select the correct chronological sequence of the emergence of the following influential figures of the Bhakti movement.
Bhakti and Sufi Movements: RAS Prelims MCQs
65 RAS Prelims MCQs on the Bhakti and Sufi movements cover the causes of Bhakti, the Tamil traditions, the great philosophers, Maharashtra’s Varkari saints, Kabir and Ramananda, and the Sufi orders. The explanations give the founder, philosophy and text of each school so that the pairs are easy to recall.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 21–30 of 65 questions
Q22. The compilation of the spiritual verses and teachings of Kabir is most famously preserved in which of the following texts?
Explanation
The teachings of Kabir are most famously compiled in the Bijak. Sursagar is by Surdas.
Q23. What was the primary effect of Kabir’s professional background as a weaver on his spiritual teachings?
Explanation
Kabir was a weaver, and he used weaving images, such as the loom and the thread, to explain spiritual ideas to ordinary people.
Q24. In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the correct option:
Assertion (A): Mirabai’s devotional poetry is a classic example of Nirguna Bhakti, focusing on formless meditation.
Reason (R): She explicitly defied the patriarchal norms of her time and considered Lord Krishna as her ultimate husband.
Assertion (A): Mirabai’s devotional poetry is a classic example of Nirguna Bhakti, focusing on formless meditation.
Reason (R): She explicitly defied the patriarchal norms of her time and considered Lord Krishna as her ultimate husband.
Explanation
The devotional life of this royal saint was characterized by an intense and personal love for a specific deity with attributes, not a formless meditation. She courageously challenged the restrictive patriarchal expectations of her time by dedicating herself entirely to her divine beloved. Her path represents a classic example of devotion to a personal god, emphasizing total surrender and emotional intimacy.
Q25. Mirabai composed numerous devotional songs expressing her intense love for Lord Krishna. These lyrical compositions are popularly known as:
Explanation
The lyrical and deeply emotional songs composed by this Rajasthani saint are known by a specific term signifying short devotional poems. These compositions express her longing, joy, and total surrender to her personal deity. Written in dialects accessible to the common people, these verses have been passed down through generations, becoming an integral part of the folk and classical musical traditions.
Q26. Find the odd one out among the following places associated with the life and devotion of Mirabai.
Explanation
The life of this famous devotee was centered in northern and western India, starting from her birthplace and extending to the royal courts of Rajasthan. She later spent significant time in the sacred forests of Vrindavan and the holy site of Dwarka. While these locations are integral to her story, the pilgrimage site in Maharashtra is associated with a different devotional tradition.
Q27. Consider the following literary works:
I. Ramcharitmanas
II. Vinaya Patrika
III. Kavitavali
IV. Sursagar
Which of the above works were authored by Goswami Tulsidas?
I. Ramcharitmanas
II. Vinaya Patrika
III. Kavitavali
IV. Sursagar
Which of the above works were authored by Goswami Tulsidas?
Explanation
This revered poet-saint authored several monumental works that remain central to the devotional life of northern India. While his epic poem on the life of Rama is the most famous, he also wrote lyrical petitions and collections of verses in various styles. However, the comprehensive anthology of Krishna-centric hymns belongs to a different contemporary saint who shared his devotional fervor.
Q28. Goswami Tulsidas, the revered poet-saint who championed the worship of Lord Rama, was a contemporary of which Mughal Emperor?
Explanation
The author of the most popular Hindi version of the Ramayana lived and worked during the zenith of the Mughal Empire. He was a contemporary of the emperor who was known for his religious curiosity and administrative reforms. During this stable period, the saint was able to compose his massive literary works, which successfully bridged the gap between high philosophy and popular devotion.
Q29. Identify the incorrect statement regarding Tulsidas and his monumental work Ramcharitmanas.
Explanation
The monumental epic composed by this saint was written in the Awadhi dialect to reach the masses. Far from promoting a formless God, the text is a masterpiece of devotion to a personal deity who incarnates to uphold righteousness. It transformed the ancient Sanskrit narrative into a relatable and deeply moving story that emphasizes the values of duty, devotion, and compassion.
Q30. Consider the following lists regarding Bhakti saints and the primary vernacular language they utilized for their compositions:
Which of the following is the correctly matched code?
| Saints | Languages |
|---|---|
| A. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu | i. Awadhi |
| B. Mirabai | ii. Bengali |
| C. Tukaram | iii. Marathi |
| D. Tulsidas | iv. Rajasthani / Braj Bhasha |
Explanation
Leaders across India utilized local vernaculars to disseminate their spiritual messages effectively. In the eastern region, Bengali was used for devotional expressions, while Awadhi became the medium for epic narratives in the north. Similarly, Marathi and Rajasthani were employed in the west to compose hymns that the local population could easily understand and sing during community gatherings and traditional religious rituals.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (b) Ramanuja, Madhvacharya, Ramananda, Kabir |
| 22 | (c) Bijak |
| 23 | (a) He utilized weaving metaphors to explain spiritual concepts to the common people. |
| 24 | (d) A is false but R is true. |
| 25 | (c) Padavalis |
| 26 | (d) Pandharpur |
| 27 | (a) I, II, and III only |
| 28 | (b) Akbar |
| 29 | (b) Tulsidas actively promoted the Nirguna school of Bhakti in this text. |
| 30 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i |
Key facts from Bhakti and Sufi Movements
- The Bhakti movement grew from caste rigidity and the exclusive nature of Vedic ritual, and stressed a personal bond between devotee and God.
- Tirumurai is a twelve-volume collection of Tamil Shaiva devotional poetry.
- Ramanuja wrote the Sri Bhashya on the Brahma Sutras and taught Vishishtadvaita; Madhvacharya taught Dvaita, also called Tattvavada.
- Chaitanya Mahaprabhu taught Achintya Bheda Abheda and spent his later years at Puri.
- The Varkari saints of Maharashtra sang Abhangas; Sant Eknath wrote a commentary on the Bhagavata Purana.
- Kabir’s verses are preserved in the Bijak; the order of the Bhakti leaders is Ramanuja, Madhvacharya, Ramananda, Kabir.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Bhakti and Sufi Movements?
This page has 65 practice MCQs on Bhakti and Sufi Movements (Medieval Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What is Vishishtadvaita?
The philosophy of Ramanuja, which holds that Brahman is the ultimate reality, but souls and matter are real parts of Brahman and are distinct from it. It is called qualified non-dualism, and Ramanuja’s Sri Bhashya on the Brahma Sutras explains it.
What is Tirumurai?
A twelve-volume collection of Tamil Shaiva devotional poetry, compiled in the Chola period from the hymns of the Nayanars. It is the Shaiva counterpart of the Alvars’ Vaishnava hymns, and the two together shaped Tamil Bhakti.
Where are Kabir’s teachings preserved?
In the Bijak, the most famous compilation of his verses. Kabir taught devotion to a formless God and criticised idol worship, ritual and caste in both Hinduism and Islam, using short dohas that ordinary people could remember.