Describe the major teachings of either Kabir or Baba Guru Nanak, and the ways in which these have been transmitted.
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.
Write a note on the Kitab-ul-Hind.
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Discuss the extent to which Bernier’s account enables historians to reconstruct contemporary rural society.
Discuss the ways in which panchayats and village headmen regulated rural society.
On an outline map of the world mark the countries visited by Ibn Battuta. What are the seas that he may have crossed?
Discuss Al-Biruni’s understanding of the caste system.
Examine the role played by zamindars in Mughal India.
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Analyse the evidence for slavery provided by Ibn Battuta.
What do you think was the significance of the rituals associated with the mahanavami dibba?
Discuss whether the term “royal centre” is an appropriate description for the part of the city for which it is used.
On an outline map of the world mark the countries visited by Ibn Battuta. What are the seas that he may have crossed?
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.
Examine the evidence that suggests that land revenue was important for the Mughal fiscal system.
On an outline map of the world, mark approximately Italy, Portugal, Iran and Russia. Trace the routes the travellers mentioned on p.176 would have taken to reach Vijayanagara.
Identify the elements that went into the making of the Mughal ideal of kingship.
To what extent do you think the visual material presented in this chapter corresponds with Abu’l Fazl’s description of the taswir (Source 1)?
Describe the role played by women in agricultural production.
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).
Discuss the major features of Mughal provincial administration. How did the centre control the provinces?