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History - Themes in Indian History - II
Bhakti-Sufi Traditions
Choose any two of the religious teachers/thinkers/saints mentioned in ...

Choose any two of the religious teachers | 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 11: . 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 11:

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.

Answer:

Following are the two saints of the Bhakti movement who are described as follows:
Guru Nanak:

Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Gurus of the Sikhs, was born in the village of Talwandi on 15th April, 1469. The village now is known
as Nankana Sahib. He belonged to a Khatri caste. Before Guru Nanak departed for his heavenly abode on 22nd Sept., 1539, his name had travelled not only throughout India’s north, south, east and west, but also far beyond into Arabia, Mesopotamia (Iraq), Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Afghanistan, Turkey, Burma and Tibet. His teachings included: Equality of humans: Guru Nanak preached against discrimination and prejudices due to race, caste, status, etc. He said: “See the brotherhood of all mankind as the highest order of Yogis; conquer your own mind, and conquer the world.” Universal message for all people: Normally preachers confined their preachings to the men of their own religion. But Nanak reached out. He spoke to hindus and muslims both and said to all “To take what rightfully belongs to another is like a muslim eating pork, or a hindu eating beef.” Equality of women: Nanak promoted women’s rights and equality—a first for the 15th century! He asked: “From woman, man is born; within woman, man is
conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound. So should whywe call her bad?

Namdeo
Saint Namdeo was born in the year 1270 in the village of Narasi-Bamani, now located in the Hingoli District in Maharashtra. He is a great Saint Poet of Maharashtra. He was one of the earliest writers who wrote in the Marathi language. He is the foremost proponent of the Bhagwad- Dharma who reached beyond Maharashtra, right into Punjab. He also wrote some hymns in Hindi and Punjabi, Namdev travelled through many parts of India, reciting his religious poems. In difficult times, he played the difficult role of uniting the pendle of Maharashtra spiritually, He is said to have lived for more than twenty years in the village of Ghuman in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab. The Sikh brethren in Punjab consider him one.

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).

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

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.

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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