Q41. Which of the following pairs of Bhakti saints and their popular epithets or titles is correctly matched?
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 41–50 of 65 questions
Q42. The devotional poetry of the Varkari saints of Maharashtra, characterized by its emotional depth and simplicity, is known by which specific term?
Explanation
The devotional songs composed in the Marathi language are known by a specific term that signifies "indestructible" or "unbroken" verses. These poems are dedicated to the deity at Pandharpur and are famous for their simplicity and emotional intensity. They continue to be sung by thousands of pilgrims during annual processions, serving as a powerful medium for expressing collective devotion and social equality.
Q43. 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): The Varkari movement of Maharashtra successfully bridged the gap between religious devotion and practical household life.
Reason (R): The saints of the Varkari tradition, such as Tukaram and Eknath, lived as ordinary family men rather than renouncing the world.
Assertion (A): The Varkari movement of Maharashtra successfully bridged the gap between religious devotion and practical household life.
Reason (R): The saints of the Varkari tradition, such as Tukaram and Eknath, lived as ordinary family men rather than renouncing the world.
Explanation
The saints of Maharashtra effectively demonstrated that spiritual excellence does not require the renunciation of worldly duties. By living as ordinary householders and engaging in daily professional activities, they proved that devotion can be integrated into everyday life. This practical approach made their message highly relatable to the common masses, bridging the traditional gap between the sacred and the mundane.
Q44. Sant Eknath of the Maharashtra Bhakti tradition is widely celebrated for his vernacular commentary on a major Hindu scripture. Which scripture did he comment upon?
Explanation
This influential saint played a vital role in making classical spiritual knowledge accessible by writing a comprehensive commentary on a major ancient text. His work focused on the portions of the scripture that emphasize devotion and righteous conduct. By translating and interpreting these complex ideas into the local Marathi language, he ensured that ordinary people could understand and follow the spiritual path.
Q45. Which of the following saints is not historically associated with the Varkari tradition of Maharashtra centered around Lord Vithoba of Pandharpur?
Explanation
The devotional tradition centered in Pandharpur is characterized by a specific lineage of saints who focused on the worship of Lord Vithoba. Figures like Namdev, Jnaneshwar, and Tukaram are fundamental to this Maharashtrian movement. However, the philosopher mentioned as the exception belonged to a different school of thought and was primarily active in northern India, representing a distinct theological tradition.
Q46. Find the odd one out among the following texts and concepts associated with the Maharashtrian Bhakti saints.
Explanation
The religious literature of the Maharashtra region includes profound commentaries and instructional texts that guide followers in their daily and spiritual lives. However, the compilation of verses mentioned as an exception belongs to a different northern tradition. While the others are rooted in the specific cultural and linguistic context of the western Deccan, this particular text reflects a more iconoclastic northern perspective.
Q47. Consider the following statements regarding the spiritual practices in Sufism:
I. ‘Zikr’ refers to the continuous recitation of the names of God.
II. ‘Sama’ involves spiritual musical gatherings intended to induce mystical ecstasy.
III. ‘Fana’ represents the annihilation of the self and spiritual merging with the Almighty.
IV. ‘Tariqa’ is the Islamic legal code that all Sufis firmly rejected.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. ‘Zikr’ refers to the continuous recitation of the names of God.
II. ‘Sama’ involves spiritual musical gatherings intended to induce mystical ecstasy.
III. ‘Fana’ represents the annihilation of the self and spiritual merging with the Almighty.
IV. ‘Tariqa’ is the Islamic legal code that all Sufis firmly rejected.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Spiritual practices in this tradition are designed to bring the seeker closer to the divine through focused remembrance and collective experience. These include the repetitive chanting of sacred names and musical gatherings that foster an atmosphere of mystical joy. The ultimate goal is the transformation of the self, though this path generally exists within a framework that respects established religious guidelines and laws.
Q48. In the context of Sufism in India, what was the primary difference between the ‘Ba-shara’ and ‘Be-shara’ traditions?
Explanation
The Ba-shara Sufis followed Islamic law (shara), while the Be-shara Sufis were not bound by it. That was the main difference.
Q49. Consider the following lists regarding Sufi Silsilas (orders) and their prominent figures or founders in the Indian subcontinent:
Which of the following is the correctly matched code?
| Sufi Orders | Prominent Figures |
|---|---|
| A. Chishti | i. Bahauddin Zakariya |
| B. Suhrawardi | ii. Khwaja Baqi Billah |
| C. Qadiri | iii. Moinuddin Chishti |
| D. Naqshbandi | iv. Shah Niamatullah |
Explanation
Different mystical orders in India were established and expanded by dedicated spiritual leaders. The most famous order was introduced by a saint in Ajmer, while another gained prominence in the northern regions through a different pioneer. Each order developed its own unique character and approach to spirituality, ranging from complete detachment from politics to a more formal adherence to traditional religious laws.
Q50. Which Sufi order in India was known for its strict adherence to the Shariat and strong opposition to syncretic practices like music (Sama) and dance?
Explanation
One specific mystical order was distinguished by its rigorous commitment to traditional religious law and its firm stance against syncretic innovations. The leaders of this group were often critical of practices like music and dance, which they felt distracted from pure spiritual focus. They emphasized a more sober and disciplined approach to the mystical path, gaining significant influence during the later Mughal period.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (a) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu - Gauranga |
| 42 | (b) Abhangas |
| 43 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 44 | (a) The Bhagavata Purana |
| 45 | (c) Nimbarkacharya |
| 46 | (c) Bijak |
| 47 | (a) I, II, and III only |
| 48 | (d) Ba-shara followed Islamic law, while Be- shara were not bound by it. |
| 49 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii |
| 50 | (c) Naqshbandi |
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.