Correct Option
The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The Rishi order is a unique, indigenous Sufi tradition that developed in the Kashmir Valley during the medieval period. Unlike other Sufi orders that originated in Persia or Central Asia, the Rishi order was deeply rooted in the local socio-cultural ethos of Kashmir, blending Islamic mysticism with local Shaivite ascetic traditions.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Rishi order was established by Sheikh Nuruddin Wali (also known as Nund Rishi or Sahazanand) in Kashmir. He is revered by both Muslims and Hindus in the region for his spiritual teachings and poetry (Shruks).
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The order emerged in the 14th and 15th centuries, during the medieval period, long before the establishment of British influence in India. It was a response to the social and religious conditions of that era, not a 19th-century development.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The Rishi order had a profound and lasting impact on the life of the people in Kashmir. The Rishis lived simple, ascetic lives, preached in the local Kashmiri language, and promoted a syncretic culture that fostered communal harmony and spiritual devotion among the masses.
Key Takeaway: The Rishi order is a distinct Kashmiri Sufi tradition founded by Sheikh Nuruddin Wali in the 15th century, characterized by asceticism, use of the vernacular language, and strong syncretic influence on Kashmiri society.