NCERT Class 7 History — Chapter 6: Devotional Paths to the Divine

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Narsi Mehta was a prominent saint-poet associated with the Bhakti tradition of which region?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

ARajasthan
BBengal
CGujarat
DMaharashtra

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Solution

The correct option is

Gujarat

Explanation

Narsi Mehta (also known as Narsinh Mehta) was a 15th-century Vaishnava poet-saint and a pivotal figure in the Bhakti movement of Western India. He is revered as the Adi Kavi (first poet) of the Gujarati language.

Detailed Analysis:

Region: Narsi Mehta lived in Junagadh, Gujarat. His life and works are deeply rooted in the cultural and religious history of this region.
Philosophy and Works: He was a devotee of Lord Krishna. His poetry focuses on the themes of love and devotion (Bhakti) towards Krishna. He composed thousands of poems, padas, and bhajans in Gujarati.
Notable Contribution: He is most famous for composing the bhajan "Vaishnava Jana To", which describes the qualities of a true devotee of God. This bhajan gained global recognition as the favorite prayer of Mahatma Gandhi.
Comparison with other regions:
- Maharashtra: Associated with Varkari saints like Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Eknath, and Tukaram.
- Bengal: Associated with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition.
- Rajasthan: Associated with saints like Mirabai (who also has connections to Gujarat) and Dadu Dayal.

Key Takeaway:
Narsi Mehta is the premier saint-poet of Gujarat, celebrated as the Adi Kavi of Gujarati literature and the composer of the famous bhajan "Vaishnava Jana To".

Your note

More from Chapter 6: Devotional Paths to the Divine

Consider the following statements regarding the Nayanars and Alvars of South India: 1. The Nayanars were devotees of Vishnu, while the Alvars were devotees of Shiva. 2. They drew upon the ideals of love and heroism found in Sangam literature and blended them with the values of bhakti. 3. They were critical of the caste system and included people from all backgrounds. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which of the following pairs of texts and their associated traditions is correctly matched? 1. Tevaram : Alvars 2. Tiruvacakam : Nayanars 3. Divya Prabandham : Alvars 4. Bijak : Virashaivas Select the correct answer using the code given below:

medium

In the context of the Bhakti tradition, what does the term 'hagiography' refer to?

easy

With reference to the Bhakti tradition in Maharashtra, consider the following statements: 1. It focused on the worship of Goddess Durga in the Tuljapur temple. 2. The saint-poets of this tradition rejected the idea of renunciation and preferred to live with their families. 3. They accepted all social differences based on birth as divine will. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Who among the following saints is associated with the composition of 'Abhangs'?

easy

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The correct option is

Gujarat

Explanation

Detailed Analysis:

Region: Narsi Mehta lived in Junagadh, Gujarat. His life and works are deeply rooted in the cultural and religious history of this region.
Philosophy and Works: He was a devotee of Lord Krishna. His poetry focuses on the themes of love and devotion (Bhakti) towards Krishna. He composed thousands of poems, padas, and bhajans in Gujarati.
Notable Contribution: He is most famous for composing the bhajan "Vaishnava Jana To", which describes the qualities of a true devotee of God. This bhajan gained global recognition as the favorite prayer of Mahatma Gandhi.
Comparison with other regions:
- Maharashtra: Associated with Varkari saints like Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Eknath, and Tukaram.
- Bengal: Associated with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition.
- Rajasthan: Associated with saints like Mirabai (who also has connections to Gujarat) and Dadu Dayal.

Key Takeaway:
Narsi Mehta is the premier saint-poet of Gujarat, celebrated as the Adi Kavi of Gujarati literature and the composer of the famous bhajan "Vaishnava Jana To".