Chapter 8: Religious Ideas in the Medieval Period

Introduction

In medieval India, many religious movements developed. The two most important were:

 Bhakti Movement (Hinduism)

 Sufi Movement (Islam)

These movements changed people’s lives by promoting love, peace, and equality.

Bhakti Movement

 Bhakti means devotion.

 Bhakti saints believed that God lives in every person and can be worshipped through
love, not through rituals.

 They rejected caste, complex rituals, and promoted equality and simplicity.

 Famous saints: Kabir, Guru Nanak Dev, Meerabai, Tulsidas.

 Guru Nanak Dev, born in 1469, started Sikhism in 1507. He taught that God is one and
all people are equal.

Sufi Movement

 A mystical form of Islam that focused on love, purity, and closeness to God.

 “Sufi” comes from:

o Suf – meaning wool, referring to simple clothes.

o Safa – meaning purity.

 Sufis rejected strict rules and rituals.

 They believed in:

o Love and tolerance for all.

o Using music, poetry, and meditation to connect with God.

 The Sufi path was called Tariqa, and their teacher was a Pir.

 Their centers were called Khanqahs – places for learning, prayer, and helping others.

Sufi Orders and Saints

1. Al Hujwiri: First Sufi in India, wrote Kashf-ul-Mahjoob (a book about Sufism).

2. Suhrawardi Order: Brought by Shaikh Bahauddin Zakariya; active in Punjab, Sindh,

3. Chishti Order:

o Started by Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti in Ajmer.

o Taught humility, equality, and harmony with other religions.

Khanqah – Sufi Center

 A place for spiritual training and community service.

 Helped develop villages, gardens, and supported urban growth.

Bhakti Movement in South India

 Started with Shaiva Nayanars (Shiva followers) and Vaishnava Alvars (Vishnu
followers).

 Many were from lower castes and even women.

 They sang in Tamil, so everyone could understand.

Ramanuja

 A major Bhakti saint.

 Taught devotion to Vishnu, used local language instead of Sanskrit.

Bhakti Movement in North India (Sultanate Period)

 Known as the Vaishnava Bhakti tradition.

Ramananda

 Connected South and North India.

 Taught in Hindi, making ideas accessible to all.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (Bengal)

 Promoted Krishna Bhakti through group singing (Sankirtan).

 Ignored caste and gender barriers.

 His followers believed he was a form of Krishna.

Famous North Indian Bhakti Saints

 Tulsidas: Wrote Ramcharitmanas in Hindi.

 Surdas: Wrote poems about Krishna’s life.

 Meerabai: A princess who devoted her life to Krishna and wrote bhajans (devotional
songs).

Bhakti in Gujarat

 Vallabhacharya (from Andhra) spread Krishna devotion.

 Narsimha Mehta, a poet-saint, also promoted love for God.

Bhakti in Maharashtra

 Based on Bhagavata Purana.

 Focused on:
 o Singing bhajans and abhangs

o Fighting social injustice

o Promoting equality

Famous Saints

 Jnaneswar: Wrote Jnanesvari, a Marathi book on Bhagavad Gita.

 Namdev: Wrote songs about equality, included in the Sikh Adi Granth.

 Eknath and Tukaram: Spoke against injustice, promoted devotion.

Monotheistic Bhakti Movement (Nirguna Bhakti)

 Belief in one formless God (Nirguna).

 Rejected idol worship, caste, and rituals.

 Saints wrote in local languages so all could understand.

Kabir (1440–1518)

 Born in a weaver family.

 Lived in Varanasi.

 Taught that:

o God is one for all religions.

o Opposed idols, caste, and rituals.

o Encouraged Hindu-Muslim unity.

 His poems are called Dohas.

 Followers are called Kabirpanthis.

Other Monotheistic Saints

 Raidas (Ravidas): Spoke against caste and preached equality.

 Guru Nanak: Founded Sikhism, part of the monotheistic Bhakti movement.

Guru Nanak and the Rise of Sikhism

 Born in Nankana Sahib (now in Pakistan).

 Taught:

o One God, without form.

o Equality of caste, religion, and gender.

o Social service as a form of devotion.

Guru Granth Sahib

 Contains hymns of Guru Nanak and other saints.

Khalsa

 A group formed by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.

 Fought against injustice.

 Members follow the Five Ks:

K-Name Meaning

Kesh Uncut hair (respect for God)

Kanga Comb (cleanliness)

Kachha Shorts (discipline)

Kara Steel bracelet (righteous conduct)

Kirpan Sword (protecting truth)

Bhakti Movements in Other Parts of India

 Gujarat: Vallabhacharya and Narsimha Mehta preached Krishna devotion.

 Karnataka: Virasaiva (Lingayat) saints fought caste and rituals.

 Kashmir: Lal Ded, a woman saint, used poetry to teach spiritual ideas.

 Assam: Sankaradeva preached devotion to one God and opposed caste.

Global Connection: Protestant Reformation in Europe

 In 1500s, Martin Luther in Europe challenged the Catholic Church.

 Opposed corruption like selling forgiveness (indulgences).

 Translated the Bible into German.

 Used the printing press to spread his message.

Q1. Why were Bhakti saints and Martin Luther popular?

Q2. What made Martin Luther popular?

1. People were unhappy with the Church's corruption.

2. He made the Bible available to common people by translating it.

3. Printing press helped his ideas spread fast.

4. He taught people to think for themselves in religion.