NCERT Class 12 History — Chapter 2: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions - Changes in Religious Beliefs and Devotional Texts (c. 8th - 18th centuries)

Correct Option

The correct option is

2 only

Explanation

The Bhakti and Sufi movements were characterized by the use of vernacular languages to make spiritual knowledge accessible to the common masses. Unlike the orthodox traditions that relied on Sanskrit or Arabic, these mystics composed poetry in regional languages and dialects.

Statement-wise Analysis

• Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Alvars (devotees of Vishnu) and Nayanars (devotees of Shiva) initiated the Bhakti movement in South India between the 6th and 9th centuries. They composed their hymns in Tamil, the local vernacular, to reach the masses, moving away from the dominance of Sanskrit. Their compilations, such as the Divya Prabandham (Alvars) and Tevaram (Nayanars), are seminal works in Tamil literature.
• Statement 2 is Correct: Baba Farid (Fariduddin Ganjshakar), a prominent Sufi saint of the Chishti order, did not compose exclusively in Persian. He is widely recognized as the first major poet of the Punjabi language. Many of his verses are preserved in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism. Sufi saints often used Hindavi or local dialects to communicate with the local population.
• Statement 3 is Incorrect: Kabir's poems have not survived in a single dialect or tradition. His verses are found in three distinct literary traditions, reflecting different linguistic influences:
  1. The Bijak, preserved by the Kabirpanth in Varanasi (associated with Eastern Hindi/Awadhi/Bhojpuri).
  2. The Guru Granth Sahib, preserved in Punjab (associated with Punjabi influences).
  3. The Panch Vani, preserved by the Dadupanth in Rajasthan (associated with Rajasthani/Braj influences).
  While his language is broadly termed Sadhukkadi (language of the monks) or Sant Bhasha, it is a mixed vocabulary spanning multiple dialects, not a single uniform dialect found in one source.

Key Takeaway

Key Takeaway: The Bhakti and Sufi movements democratized religion through language. The Alvars and Nayanars used Tamil, Baba Farid used Punjabi, and Kabir's works survived in multiple dialects (Awadhi, Braj, Rajasthani) across different regions.