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Q1History & Culture·Bhakti, Sufi and Sikh TraditionsPYQ 2022
With reference to Indian history, which of the following were known as 'Kulah-Daran'?
- AArab merchants
- BQalandars
- CPersian calligraphists
- DSayyidsCorrect
Explanation
Correct. Kulah-Daran referred to Sayyids — those claiming descent from the Prophet Muhammad — who were identified in part through their distinctive headgear (kulah) and high social status in medieval Indian Muslim society.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Arab merchants were not referred to as Kulah-Daran. The term specifically relates to a social-religious group identified by their status and headgear.
- Option B
Qalandars were wandering Sufi ascetics known for their unconventional practices, not for the Kulah-Daran designation.
- Option C
Persian calligraphists were not known as Kulah-Daran. The term does not refer to a professional class of scribes or artists.
Q2History & Culture·Bhakti, Sufi and Sikh TraditionsPYQ 2022
The world's second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja?
- AThe best means of salvation was devotionCorrect
- BVedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative
- CLogical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss
- DSalvation was to be obtained through meditation
Explanation
Correct. Ramanuja's Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism) philosophy emphasised bhakti (devotion) and prapatti (surrender) to Vishnu as the surest path to liberation (moksha).
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
While Ramanuja accepted Vedic authority, this statement more closely reflects the Mimamsa position. The distinctive feature of Ramanuja's teaching was bhakti as the means of salvation.
- Option C
Logical argumentation was the emphasis of the Nyaya school of philosophy. Ramanuja stressed devotion and divine grace over intellectual reasoning as the path to liberation.
- Option D
Meditation as the primary means of salvation is more closely associated with the Yoga school of Patanjali or Advaita Vedanta. Ramanuja specifically advocated devotion over meditation alone.
Q3History & Culture·Bhakti, Sufi and Sikh TraditionsPYQ 2016
With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements:
1. Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.
2. Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2Correct
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. The Tamil Siddhas were indeed monotheistic and opposed idolatry, drawing from tantric and yogic traditions. The Lingayats, founded by Basavanna in the 12th century, rejected both caste hierarchy and the doctrine of rebirth.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
This is incomplete. Statement 2 is also correct. The Lingayats under Basavanna rejected caste hierarchy and questioned the theory of rebirth.
- Option B
This is incomplete. Statement 1 is also correct. The Tamil Siddhas (Sittars) were known for their monotheistic beliefs and strong opposition to idol worship and ritual orthodoxy.
- Option D
Both statements are historically well-established. The Siddha and Lingayat traditions were reformist movements that challenged Brahmanical orthodoxy.
Q4History & Culture·Bhakti, Sufi and Sikh TraditionsPYQ 2014
Consider the following statements:
1. 'Bijak' is a composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal.
2. The philosophy of Pushtimarg was propounded by Madhvacharya.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2Correct
Explanation
Correct. Bijak is associated with Kabir (not Dadu Dayal), and Pushtimarg was propounded by Vallabhacharya (not Madhvacharya). Neither statement is correct.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 1 is incorrect. Bijak is a compilation of the teachings of Kabir, not Dadu Dayal. Dadu Dayal's teachings are compiled in the Dadu Anubhav Vani.
- Option B
Statement 2 is incorrect. Pushtimarg (the path of grace) was propounded by Vallabhacharya, not Madhvacharya. Madhvacharya founded the Dvaita (dualistic) school of Vedanta.
- Option C
Both statements are incorrect. Bijak belongs to Kabir, and Pushtimarg was founded by Vallabhacharya.
Q5History & Culture·Bhakti, Sufi and Sikh TraditionsPYQ 2013
Consider the following Bhakti saints:
1. Dadu Dayal
2. Guru Nanak
3. Tyagaraja
Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over?
- A1 and 3
- B2 onlyCorrect
- C2 and 3
- D1 and 2
Explanation
Correct. Guru Nanak (1469–1539) was actively preaching during the transition from the Lodi dynasty to Babur's Mughal rule in 1526. He even composed verses reflecting on Babur's invasion.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 1 is wrong — Dadu Dayal (1544–1603) was born after the fall of the Lodis (1526). Statement 3 is wrong — Tyagaraja (1767–1847) lived in the 18th–19th century.
- Option C
Tyagaraja (1767–1847) was an 18th–19th century Carnatic music composer who lived nearly 300 years after the Lodi-Babur transition.
- Option D
Dadu Dayal was born in 1544, eighteen years after Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.
Q6History & Culture·Bhakti, Sufi and Sikh TraditionsPYQ 2010
Among the following, who was not a proponent of the Bhakti cult?
- ANagarjunaCorrect
- BTukaram
- CTyagaraja
- DVallabhacharya
Explanation
Correct. Nagarjuna was a Buddhist philosopher (c. 2nd century CE) who founded the Madhyamaka school of Mahayana Buddhism. He was not associated with the Bhakti movement.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Tukaram (c. 1608–1649) was a prominent Bhakti saint from Maharashtra who composed devotional Abhangas dedicated to Lord Vitthal (Vishnu).
- Option C
Tyagaraja (1767–1847) was a renowned Carnatic music composer and Bhakti saint who composed devotional kritis dedicated to Lord Rama.
- Option D
Vallabhacharya (1479–1531) propounded the Shuddhadvaita (pure non-dualism) philosophy and the Pushtimarg devotional path centred on Krishna bhakti.
Q7History & Culture·Bhakti, Sufi and Sikh TraditionsPYQ 2006
Bhakta Tukaram was a contemporary of which Mughal Emperor?
- ABabur
- BAkbar
- CJahangirCorrect
- DAurangzeb
Explanation
Correct. Tukaram (c. 1608–1649) was a Marathi Bhakti poet-saint who lived during the reign of Jahangir (1605–1627) and into Shah Jahan's reign.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Babur ruled from 1526 to 1530. Tukaram was born around 1608, nearly 80 years after Babur's death.
- Option B
Akbar died in 1605. While Tukaram was born around 1608, he was active during the reign of Jahangir, not Akbar.
- Option D
Aurangzeb's reign began in 1658. By most accounts, Tukaram had passed away by 1649 or 1650, before Aurangzeb became emperor.
Q8History & Culture·Bhakti, Sufi and Sikh TraditionsPYQ 2004
Consider the following statements about Sikh Gurus:
1. Banda Bahadur was appointed as the military leader of the Sikhs by Guru Tegh Bahadur.
2. Guru Arjan Dev became the Sikh Guru after Guru Ram Das.
3. Guru Arjan Dev gave to Sikhs their own script Gurmukhi.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 and 3Correct
- C1 and 3
- D1 and 2
Explanation
Correct. Guru Arjan Dev was the fifth Guru and succeeded his father Guru Ram Das (the fourth Guru). Guru Arjan Dev is also credited with standardising the Gurmukhi script for the Sikh scriptures.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 1 is incorrect. Banda Bahadur was appointed by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, not by Guru Tegh Bahadur (the ninth Guru).
- Option C
Statement 1 is incorrect. Banda Bahadur received his commission from Guru Gobind Singh, not Guru Tegh Bahadur.
- Option D
Statement 1 is incorrect for the reason stated above. Banda Bahadur was commissioned by Guru Gobind Singh.
Q9History & Culture·Bhakti, Sufi and Sikh TraditionsPYQ 2002
With reference to Sufism in Indian history, consider the following statements:
1. Shaikh Ahmad Sarhindi was a contemporary of Ibrahim Lodi.
2. Shaikh Nasiruddin Chiragh-i-Dehlavi was a disciple of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya.
3. Aurangzeb was a contemporary of Shaikh Salim Chisti.
4. The Qadiri order of Sufis was first introduced in India by Shaikh Niamtullah and Makhdum Muhammad Jilani.
Which of these statements are correct?
- A1 and 2
- B1 and 3
- C2 and 3
- D2 and 4Correct
Explanation
Correct. Nasiruddin Chiragh-i-Dehlavi was indeed a disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya and the last great Chishti saint of Delhi. The Qadiri order was introduced in India by Shaikh Niamtullah and Makhdum Muhammad Jilani during the 15th century.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 1 is incorrect. Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1564–1624) was a contemporary of Akbar and Jahangir, not Ibrahim Lodi (d. 1526).
- Option B
Both statements 1 and 3 are incorrect. Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi was not a contemporary of Ibrahim Lodi, and Shaikh Salim Chisti (d. 1572) died before Aurangzeb was born (1618).
- Option C
Statement 3 is incorrect. Shaikh Salim Chisti died in 1572, decades before Aurangzeb's birth in 1618. They were not contemporaries.
Q10History & Culture·Bhakti, Sufi and Sikh TraditionsPYQ 2002
Who among the following was the first Bhakti saint to use Hindi for the propagation of his message?
- ADadu
- BKabir
- CRamanandaCorrect
- DTulsidas
Explanation
Correct. Ramananda (c. 14th–15th century) is regarded as the first Bhakti saint to use Hindi (rather than Sanskrit) for spreading his devotional message, opening the Bhakti movement to the masses.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Dadu Dayal (1544–1603) came after Ramananda and Kabir. He was not the first to use Hindi for Bhakti propagation.
- Option B
Kabir (c. 1440–1518) composed in Hindi dialects, but he was a disciple of Ramananda, who preceded him in using Hindi for spiritual teachings.
- Option D
Tulsidas (1532–1623) wrote the Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi Hindi, but he came well after Ramananda, who first adopted Hindi for Bhakti preaching.
Q11History & Culture·Bhakti, Sufi and Sikh TraditionsPYQ 2001
Match List I (Bhakti Saint) with List II (Profession) and select the correct answer:
List I — List II
I. Namdev — A. Barber
II. Kabir — B. Weaver
III. Ravidas — C. Tailor
IV. Sena — D. Cobbler
- AI-B, II-C, III-A, IV-D
- BI-C, II-B, III-D, IV-ACorrect
- CI-C, II-B, III-A, IV-D
- DI-B, II-C, III-D, IV-A
Explanation
Correct. Namdev was a tailor (C), Kabir was a weaver (B), Ravidas was a cobbler (D), and Sena was a barber (A). These Bhakti saints came from artisan and lower-caste backgrounds.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
This incorrectly matches Namdev with weaver and Ravidas with barber. Namdev was a tailor (shimpi), and Ravidas was a cobbler (chamar).
- Option C
This incorrectly matches Ravidas with barber and Sena with cobbler. Ravidas was a cobbler and Sena was a barber.
- Option D
This incorrectly matches Namdev with weaver and Kabir with tailor. Namdev was a tailor and Kabir was a weaver.
Q12History & Culture·Bhakti, Sufi and Sikh TraditionsPYQ 1997
Assertion (A): The sponsor and the most prominent figure of the Chishti order of Sufis in India is Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
Reason (R): The Chishti order takes its name from a village Chishti in Ajmer.
- ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- BBoth A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A
- CA is true, but R is falseCorrect
- DA is false, but R is true
Explanation
Correct. A is true — Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti was indeed the founder and most prominent figure of the Chishti order in India, settling in Ajmer. R is false — the Chishti order derives its name from the town of Chisht in Afghanistan, not from Ajmer.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
R is factually incorrect. The Chishti order takes its name from the town of Chisht in Afghanistan (near Herat), not from a village in Ajmer. Therefore R cannot be a correct explanation.
- Option B
R is not true. The name Chishti derives from Chisht in Afghanistan, not from Ajmer.
- Option D
A is not false. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is universally recognised as the principal figure who established the Chishti Sufi order in India.