Social Science STD 7 Chapter 7: Bhakti Age: Religious Sects and Saints - Exercises
1. Answer the following questions in one sentence:
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1. Name the saints who led the religious movement in South India.
The Alwar (Vaishnava) and Nayanar (Shaiva) saints led the religious movement in South India. Shankaracharya and Ramanujacharya also contributed to religious reform and the Bhakti movement. -
2. Who chanted the mantra 'Haribol' in Bengal?
Chatinya Mahaprabhu is known for chanting the mantra 'Haribol' in Bengal while composing Krishna bhakti songs. -
3. Which texts were composed by Tulsidas?
Tulsidas composed the popular texts "Ramcharitmanas" and "Vinayapatrika". -
4. Who was the first Sufi saint in India?
The provided text does not explicitly state who the first Sufi saint in India was, but it mentions that Moinuddin Chishti established the Chishti tradition in Ajmer, which is a key part of the Sufi movement in India.
2. Answer the following questions as per requirement:
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1. Write a short-note on: Sufi-Movement.
The Sufi movement was a religious movement in medieval India that promoted social and religious harmony between Hindus and Muslims. Sufism emphasizes a loving relationship between God and man. There were four main traditions that spread Sufism in India: Chishti, Suhrawardy, Qadri, and Naqshbandi. The Chishti and Suhrawardy traditions were the most popular. Moinuddin Chishti established the Chishti tradition in Ajmer, which became a great example of communal harmony. Sufi saints adopted some Hindu rituals, such as shaving the head, holding a begging bowl (zanbeen), and holding musical gatherings (mushairas). -
2. Why did the Bhakti movement become popular among people?
The Bhakti movement became popular because it offered a simple religious path to people suffering from ignorance, falsehood, and social distress. The saints and fakirs who were part of this movement believed in the unity of all religions and sects. They opposed idol worship and rituals and preached in simple, local languages. By composing literature and verses in the people's dialect, they made their teachings accessible and relatable, spreading a message of unity and social equality. -
3. Give short introduction of saints of Maharashtra.
The Bhakti movement in Maharashtra ran parallel to that in North India, with the Vithoba temple of Pandharpur as its main center. Gyaneshwar started the movement by writing a commentary on the Bhagwad Gita called 'Gyaneshwari'. Namdev, a great saint, turned to religion after a sinful youth. Eknath was a prominent saint who opposed caste and creed discrimination, treating all as equals. Tukaram was a saint-poet whose 'Abhangas' are very well known. Samarth Guru Ramdas, the guru of Shivaji, composed a book called 'Daasbodh' to teach people how to blend spiritual and worldly life. -
4. Give introduction of Kabir, the most important believer in Ekeshwar (Monotheism) tradition.
Kabir was a significant saint of the monotheistic tradition and a weaver by profession. He believed in one God and opposed idol worship and rituals. His collection of poems, known as 'Bijak,' is also included in the Sikh holy book "Guru Granth Sahib." Saint Raidas was his guru brother. Kabir's teachings emphasized that the essence of all religions is the same and that God is formless and indescribable.
3. (A) Choose the appropriate answer from the options given below and write the correct answer:
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1. Guru Nanak was saint of which branch?
(C) Nirgun -
2. Criticism on Bhagwad-Geeta written by Gyaneshwar is known by which name?
(B) Gyaneshwari -
3. Abhangas of which saint of Maharashtra are very well known?
(D) Tukaram -
4. How many traditions, spreading sufism were there in India?
(D) Four
(B) Recognize me:
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1. My Guru was Samarth Ramdas.
Chhatrapati Shivaji -
2. I was the main center of Bhakti movement in Maharashtra.
Vithoba temple of Pandharpur -
3. I was the founder of the Chishti tradition in Ajmer.
Moinuddin Chishti