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History - Themes in Indian History - II
Bhakti-Sufi Traditions
Describe the major teachings of either Kabir or Baba Guru Nanak, and t...

Describe the major teachings of either K | Class 12 History - Themes in Indian History - II Chapter Bhakti-Sufi Traditions, Bhakti-Sufi Traditions NCERT Solutions

Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 History - Themes in Indian History - II - Chapter Bhakti-Sufi Traditions. This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Exercise 1, Question 5: . With detailed answers and explanations for each chapter, students can strengthen their understanding and prepare confidently for exams. Ideal for CBSE and other board students, this resource will simplify your study experience.

Question 5:

Describe the major teachings of either Kabir or Baba Guru Nanak, and the ways in which these have been transmitted.

Answer:

Kabir is a great poet-cum-saint of Indian society. He has had appeal among Hindus and Muslims alike as it is believed that he was bom as Hindu but was brought up by a muslim couple. He wrote poems that exhorted both communities to take to social reforms. The major teachings of Kabir were as follows:

1.Kabir described God as nirankar (having no shape). He used the terms drawn from Islamic tradition like Allah, Khuda, Hajrat and Peer but also used words of Vedic traditions like Alakh ( (the unseen) and nirakar ( the formless). Thus, he freely took to both traditions viz. Islamic and Vedantic.

2.He repudiated idol worship and polytheism.

3.He emphasised on the oneness of God though there can be many names of His.

4.He criticised religious rituals of hindus and muslims alike.

5.He also preached against caste discrimination.

6.He combined the Sufi traditions of love of God with the Hindi tradition of remembrance of God.

7.He also emphasised the dignity of labour. Thus, the essence of the teachings of Kabir was simple living based on love and respect all. He wrote in simple
language to be understood by common man of the country. Guru Nanak and his teachings Guru Nanak was born in a Hindu family in 1469 at Nankana Saheb on the bank of the river Ravi. His birth place is now in Pakistan. He learnt Persian, Arabic , Hindi and Mathematics. He spent time in company of Sufi saints and Bhaktas of various socio-religious movements. The major teachings of Guru\ Nanak are as follows:

1. He rejected the religious texts of both Hindus and Muslims.

2. He preached God is Nirakar viz. without any shape.

3. He criticised the religious practices like ceremonial bath, sacrifices , idol worship and emphasised simplicity.

4. He called upon his followers to connect to divine by remembering and repeating the divine name. Guru Nanak expressed himself in Punjabi, the language of the local people in a lyrical form called Shabad. Shabad can be recited in various ragas.

Other Questions of Chapter Bhakti-Sufi Traditions

On an outline map of India, plot three major sufi shrines, and three places associated with temples (one each of a form of Vishnu, Shiva and the goddess).

Read any five of the sources included in this chapter and discuss the social and religious ideas that are expressed in them.

Discuss the ways in which the Alvars, Nayanars and Virashaivas expressed critiques of the caste system.

What were the similarities and differences between the be-shari‘a and ba-shari‘a sufi traditions?

Analyse, with illustrations, why bhakti and sufi thinkers adopted a variety of languages in which to express their opinions.

Discuss the major beliefs and practices that characterised Sufism.

Examine how and why rulers tried to establish connections with the traditions of the Nayanars and the sufis.

Explain with examples what historians mean by the integration of cults.

Choose any two of the religious teachers/thinkers/saints mentioned in this chapter, and find out more about their lives and teachings. Prepare a report about the area and the times in which they lived, their major ideas, how we know about them, and why you think they are important.

To what extent do you think the architecture of mosques in the subcontinent reflects a combination of universal ideals and local traditions?

Popular questions of class 12 History - Themes in Indian History - II

Write a note on the Kitab-ul-Hind.

How were the lives of forest dwellers transformed in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?

Discuss the extent to which Bernier’s account enables historians to reconstruct contemporary rural society.

Discuss Al-Biruni’s understanding of the caste system.

On an outline map of the world mark the countries visited by Ibn Battuta. What are the seas that he may have crossed?

Discuss the ways in which panchayats and village headmen regulated rural society.

Analyse the evidence for slavery provided by Ibn Battuta.

On an outline map of the world, mark the areas which had economic links with the Mughal Empire, and trace out possible routes of communication.

Examine the role played by zamindars in Mughal India.

What do you think was the significance of the rituals associated with the mahanavami dibba?

Recently Viewed Questions of Class 12 History - Themes in Indian History - II

Discuss, with examples, the distinctive features of Mughal chronicles.

Write a note on the Kitab-ul-Hind.

How were the water requirements of Vijayanagara met?

Read this excerpt from Bernier:

Numerous are the instances of handsome pieces of workmanship made by persons destitute of tools, and who can scarcely be said to have received instruction from a master. Sometimes they imitate so perfectly articles of European manufacture that the difference between the original and copy can hardly be discerned. Among other things, the Indians make excellent muskets, and fowling- pieces, and such beautiful gold ornaments that it may be doubted if the exquisite workmanship of those articles can be exceeded by any European goldsmith. I have often admired the beauty, softness, and delicacy of their paintings.

List the crafts mentioned in the passage. Compare
these with the descriptions of artisanal activity in
the chapter.

Do you think Ibn Battuta’s account is useful in arriving at an understanding of life in contemporary urban centres? Give reasons for your answer.

Discuss the major features of Mughal provincial administration. How did the centre control the provinces?

On an outline map of the world, mark the areas which had economic links with the Mughal Empire, and trace out possible routes of communication.

What do you think was the significance of the rituals associated with the mahanavami dibba?

Examine the evidence that suggests that land revenue was important for the Mughal fiscal system.

What were the concerns that shaped Mughal policies and attitudes towards regions outside the subcontinent?

Study Tips for Answering NCERT Questions:

NCERT questions are designed to test your understanding of the concepts and theories discussed in the chapter. Here are some tips to help you answer NCERT questions effectively:

Read the question carefully and focus on the core concept being asked.
Reference examples and data from the chapter when answering questions about Bhakti-Sufi Traditions.
Review previous year question papers to get an idea of how such questions may be framed in exams.
Practice answering questions within the time limit to improve your speed and accuracy.
Discuss your answers with your teachers or peers to get feedback and improve your understanding.

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