Answer all questions carefully. This is one of the highest-yield topics for UPSC Prelims.
hard•12 questions•~14 min
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Question 01
hard
Consider the following statements (UPSC 2014 inspired):
1. 'Bijak' is a composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal.
2. The philosophy of Pushti Marg was propounded by Madhvacharya.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Question 02
medium
Which of the following was the first Bhakti saint to use Hindi for the propagation of his message? (UPSC 2002)
Question 03
hard
Consider the following pairs of Sufi silsilahs and their distinctive features:
1. Chishti — Accepted royal patronage; believed Sufi should own property, knowledge, and mystical enlightenment
2. Suhrawardi — Stayed away from State power; khanqah established in Ajmer; most widespread order
3. Naqshbandi — Popular during Akbar's reign; Sheikh Ahmed Sarhindi was its most popular saint
4. Shattari — Tansen, the legendary musician of Akbar's court was its follower
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Question 04
medium
Arrange the three stages of the Sufi movement in the correct chronological order:
(i) Tariqa
(ii) Khanqah
(iii) Tarifa
Question 05
hard
Consider the following statements about the Bhakti Movement:
1. It originated around the 4th century AD.
2. It originated in the Northern part of India.
3. The word 'Bhakti' is derived from Sanskrit word 'bhaj' meaning to share, participate and belong to.
4. Andal is the only female Alwar saint, called 'Meera of the South'.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Question 06
hard
Which of the following statements about the Nirguna and Saguna schools of Bhakti is/are correct?
1. The Nirguna school rejected the scriptures and condemned every form of idol worship.
2. Meerabai was a Saguna saint.
3. Saguna saints did not believe in the oneness of God.
4. Ramanuja and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu belonged to the Saguna school.
Question 07
medium
Dara Shikoh became a follower of which Sufi silsilah?
Question 08
medium
Consider the following disciples of Ramananda and their social backgrounds:
1. Kabir — Muslim weaver
2. Ravidas — cobbler
3. Sena — barber
4. Pipa — Rajput prince
Which of the above pairings are correctly matched?
Question 09
hard
Consider the following statements about Maharashtra's Bhakti saints:
1. Dnyaneshwar was the first Bhakti saint in Maharashtra and wrote Dnyaneshwari, a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita.
2. Ramdas wrote 'Dasbodh' on Advaita Vedanta and is the founder of the Samarth sect.
3. Namdev's verses were included in the Adi Granth by Guru Nanak.
4. Eknath was influenced by Sufi mysticism and his renowned work is 'Eknathi Bhagavata'.
Question 10
hard
Consider the following statements about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu:
1. He gave the Achintaya Bheda-Abheda philosophy.
2. He popularised Kirtans as a form of worshipping God.
3. He is the inspiration behind ISKCON.
4. He lived most of his life in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Question 11
hard
Which of the following Bhakti philosophers and their philosophies are correctly matched?
A. Ramanuja — Vishist Advaita (qualified monism)
B. Madhvacharya — Dvaitadvaita (dualistic monism)
C. Vallabhacharya — Suddhadvaita (Pure Non-dualism)
D. Nimbarka — Dvaitavada (dualism)
Question 12
medium
The Nayannars were 63 Tamil saints devoted to Lord Shiva. Their lives and deeds were described in which of the following texts, also called the 'Dravida Veda'?