Q51. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the Suhrawardi Sufi order in India.
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 51–60 of 65 questions
Q52. Which of the following prominent Sufi figures does not belong to the Chishti Silsila?
Explanation
While several famous saints are associated with the lineage that prioritized spiritual music and detachment from the state, one prominent figure belonged to a different, more conservative order. This individual was known for his strict adherence to traditional religious law and his efforts to reform the spiritual practices of his time. His theological focus was fundamentally different from the inclusive and ecstatic Chishti tradition.
Q53. Consider the following statements regarding Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer:
I. His teachings emphasized social equality and compassion towards the poor.
II. He was heavily patronized by the Mughal Emperor Akbar during his lifetime.
III. His Dargah in Ajmer became a major center of pilgrimage for both Muslims and Hindus.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. His teachings emphasized social equality and compassion towards the poor.
II. He was heavily patronized by the Mughal Emperor Akbar during his lifetime.
III. His Dargah in Ajmer became a major center of pilgrimage for both Muslims and Hindus.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The legacy of the saint in Ajmer is defined by his profound commitment to social equality and his service to the underprivileged. His shrine eventually grew into a massive pilgrimage center that attracts devotees from all religious backgrounds, symbolizing the syncretic culture of the region. Although later rulers showed great respect for his memory, the saint himself lived centuries before the Mughal era began.
Q54. The Chishti saints often utilized music to achieve a state of spiritual ecstasy. What is the specific term used for the mystical poetry sung in these gatherings in the Indian subcontinent?
Explanation
To facilitate a state of spiritual ecstasy and closeness to the divine, a specific genre of devotional music was developed. This style combines soulful poetry with rhythmic chanting and was a hallmark of gatherings at mystical centers. These performances were designed to evoke intense emotional responses and provide a direct experience of spiritual joy, eventually becoming a cherished part of the subcontinent’s rich musical heritage.
Q55. Consider the following eminent saints of the Chishti order:
I. Nizamuddin Auliya
II. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti
III. Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki
IV. Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakar
Which of the following represents the correct chronological order of their spiritual leadership?
I. Nizamuddin Auliya
II. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti
III. Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki
IV. Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakar
Which of the following represents the correct chronological order of their spiritual leadership?
Explanation
The spiritual leadership of this prominent order followed a clear line of succession from its founder in India to his most famous disciples. Each leader inherited the responsibility of guiding the community and expanding the reach of the tradition. This chronological sequence tracks the movement from its early establishment to its peak influence in the capital city, marking the stages of its growth.
Q56. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The verses of the famous Chishti saint Baba Farid (Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakar) are incorporated into the Guru Granth Sahib.
Statement II: The inclusion of Sufi poetry in Sikh scriptures highlights the intense rivalry and religious debates between the two communities.
Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Statement I: The verses of the famous Chishti saint Baba Farid (Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakar) are incorporated into the Guru Granth Sahib.
Statement II: The inclusion of Sufi poetry in Sikh scriptures highlights the intense rivalry and religious debates between the two communities.
Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation
The inclusion of a Sufi saint’s verses in the primary scripture of another religion serves as a powerful testament to the mutual respect and shared values between different spiritual traditions. Far from indicating rivalry, this act demonstrates a profound recognition of universal truth that transcends religious boundaries.
Q57. Consider the following lists regarding terms related to Sufi institutions and their meanings:
Which of the following is the correctly matched code?
| Sufi Terms | Meanings |
|---|---|
| A. Khanqah | i. Spiritual grace or blessing |
| B. Khalifa | ii. A designated successor or deputy |
| C. Barkat | iii. Friend of God (Saint) |
| D. Wali | iv. A hospice or center of Sufi gathering |
Explanation
Sufi institutions are defined by specific roles and terminology that facilitate spiritual growth. A hospice serves as a central gathering place for mystical practice, while a designated successor continues the spiritual lineage. The concept of divine grace represents the blessing bestowed upon seekers, and the term for a saint signifies a close personal relationship or friendship with the divine in this tradition.
Q58. A prominent outcome of the interaction between the Bhakti and Sufi movements was the rapid development of regional languages. How did these movements primarily facilitate this linguistic growth?
Explanation
The growth of regional languages was a direct consequence of the movement’s goal to reach the widest possible audience. By moving away from the elite use of Persian and Sanskrit, leaders composed their devotional works in local dialects that the common people spoke daily. This practice not only made spiritual ideas accessible but also provided these regional languages with a rich literary and cultural foundation.
Q59. The mutual influence of the Bhakti and Sufi traditions led to the emergence of syncretic cults in medieval India. What was the underlying cause for the popularity of such cults?
Explanation
The popularity of syncretic traditions arose from a common focus on a universal, formless supreme being. Both movements tended to minimize the importance of formal religious hierarchies and rigid rituals, prioritizing internal devotion instead. This shared perspective allowed people from different religious backgrounds to find common ground, leading to the emergence of cults that blended diverse beliefs into a unified spiritual experience.
Q60. Consider the following characteristics:
I. Belief in the fundamental unity of God.
II. Need for a spiritual guide or Guru/Pir.
III. Strict adherence to rigid fasting and self-mortification.
IV. Emphasis on love and devotion over ritualism.
Which of the above combination identifies the commonalities shared by both the Bhakti and Sufi movements?
I. Belief in the fundamental unity of God.
II. Need for a spiritual guide or Guru/Pir.
III. Strict adherence to rigid fasting and self-mortification.
IV. Emphasis on love and devotion over ritualism.
Which of the above combination identifies the commonalities shared by both the Bhakti and Sufi movements?
Explanation
Both movements shared several fundamental characteristics that defined their approach to the divine. They prioritized the concept of a singular God and emphasized the essential role of a spiritual guide in the journey toward liberation. Furthermore, they both valued sincere love and emotional devotion over the performance of empty rituals, though they generally discouraged extreme physical suffering as a primary path.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 51 | (a) Suhrawardi saints lived in poverty and strictly refused state patronage. |
| 52 | (c) Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi |
| 53 | (c) I and III only |
| 54 | (c) Qawwali |
| 55 | (c) II, III, IV, I |
| 56 | (c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect |
| 57 | (a) A-iv, B-ii, C-i, D-iii |
| 58 | (c) By composing hymns and poetry in the language of the common masses. |
| 59 | (a) Shared emphasis on a formless God and rejection of clerical authority. |
| 60 | (b) I, II, and IV only |
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.