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Class 12 History Chapter 6 Notes
Bhakti- Sufi Traditions notes

Here, we are providing notes for Chapter 6 of the Class 12 History curriculum, “Bhakti-Sufi Traditions.” This chapter examines the key characteristics associated with the era of Bhakti and Sufi traditions.

These notes will prove useful to students preparing for the board examinations this year. Prepared in simple and organized language, this material will help in quickly reviewing the chapter and retaining key points.

Class 12 History Chapter 6 Notes, Bhakti- Sufi Traditions notes

Class 12 History Chapter 6 Notes, Bhakti- Sufi Traditions notes

class 12 History chapter 6 notes

What was the Bhakti movement?

The Bhakti movement was a social and religious movement in which numerous saints and reformers opposed the social evils, discrimination, and casteism prevalent in society, and propagated the message of love, equality, and brotherhood through devotion to God.

Why did the Bhakti movement begin?

Many evils had crept into the prevailing religions, such as:

  1. Casteism
  2. Discrimination based on social hierarchy
  3. Untouchability
  4. The practice of Sati
  5. Ostentatious idol worship
  6. The burden of rituals

In opposition to this, Hindu saints and reformers launched a movement for the purity of religion and social reform—this came to be known as the Bhakti movement.

What was the Sufi movement?

  1. The Sufi movement was a spiritual movement within Islam that emphasized love, self-sacrifice, unity with God, and service to humanity.
  2. Sufi saints spread the message of brotherhood and peace across Hindu and Muslim societies.

The Beginning of the Bhakti Movement:-

  1. It originated in South India in the sixth century.
  2. Alvars (devotees of Lord Vishnu) and Nayanars (devotees of Lord Shiva) are considered to be the first Bhakti saints.
  3. Adi Shankaracharya took it further in North India (8th century) – emphasized Advaita Vedanta and monotheism.

Similarities between the Bhakti and Sufi movements

  1. Both propagated the message of love, devotion, and unity.
  2. They opposed religious fanaticism and outward rituals.
  3. They imparted teachings and preached in local languages.
  4. They embraced the poor, women, and the lower castes.

Two major paths of devotion

Nirgun Bhakti

  1. This path is based on devotion to a formless God.
  2. According to this belief, God has no form, shape, or color.
  3. They opposed idol worship.
  4. Meditation and *Nam-smaran* (chanting the name of God) were considered the true methods of devotion.
  5. Prominent saints of this school of thought include Kabir Das, Guru Nanak, and Raidas.

Saguna Bhakti

  1. In this path, God is conceived as having a tangible form (*sakar*).
  2. Devotees worship God by revering His form, name, and attributes.
  3. Practices such as idol worship, *bhajan* (devotional songs), and *kirtan* (communal devotional singing) were considered primary means of worship.
  4. Devotion to Lord Rama and Lord Krishna was particularly popular.
  5. Prominent saints of this tradition include:
  6. Mirabai (devotee of Krishna)
  7. Tulsidas (author of *Ramcharitmanas*)
  8. Surdas

Causes of the Bhakti Movement :-

  1. Eradicating orthodoxy
  2. Atrocities committed by Muslim invaders
  3. Fear of the dissolution of religion and caste
  4. Upliftment of Dalits
  5. Abolition of the Varna system

Characteristics of the Bhakti Movement:

  1. Opposition to the caste system
  2. Emphasis on Hindu-Muslim unity
  3. Preaching in local languages
  4. Opposition to rituals and ostentation
  5. Emphasis on service to humanity
  6. Emphasis on equality

Prevailing traditions of Bhakti :-

The first tradition was the "Great", in which:

  1. Vedic religion was incorporated.
  2. It was practiced by the upper strata of society (such as Brahmins).
  3. Great importance was attached to the words of the Brahmins.
  4. Major deities (such as Vishnu, Shiva, etc.) were worshipped.

The second tradition was "Laghu", in which:

  1. Regional deities were worshipped.
  2. The lower strata of society practiced this.
  3. The methods of worship were local and simple.

According to Robert Redfield

  1. Over time, the Great and Little traditions merged.
  2. Regional deities were also incorporated into the Vedic religion.

South India and the Bhakti Movement :-

  • The Bhakti movement began in South India after the 6th century.
  • During this period, several Bhakti saints emerged, who were categorized into two groups:
  1. Alvar (Vishnu devotee)
  2. Nayanar (Shiva devotee)

Who were the Alvars?

  1. The Alvars were saints who worshipped Lord Vishnu.
  2. They regarded Vishnu as the supreme deity.
  3. These devotees of Vishnu are also known as ‘Hari’ devotees.
  4. It is believed that Lord Vishnu incarnated multiple times to put an end to evil.
  5. The total number of Alvars is considered to be 12.
  6. Devotees of Vishnu regard Lakshmi and Shri as his consorts.
  7. Prominent Alvar saints: Nammalvar, Andal (the only female Alvar).

Prominent Alwar Saints:

  • Nammalwar
  • todaradippodi
  • Andal (the only female Alwar)

Their works:

  1. The devotional text composed by the Alvars is called “Naalayir Divya Prabandham.”
  2. (This means a collection of 4000 devotional songs.)

Who were the Nayanars (Shaivites)?

  1. The Nayanars were saints who devoted themselves to Lord Shiva.
  2. They are known as devotees of Shiva.
  3. It is believed that Shiva originated from the concepts associated with Rudra.
  4. Shiva is regarded as the God of Destruction and the deity of sages and saints.
  5. The number of Nayanar saints is considered to be 63.
  6. These saints often engaged in intense penance, particularly in places like the Himalayas.
  7. Their followers address Shiva as Mahadev and Parvati as Mahadevi.
  8. In South India, these saintly devotees of Shiva are known as Nayanars.

Characteristics of the Lingayat community

  1. Shiva is worshipped in the form of the Linga.
  2. Men of this community wear a small Linga in a silver casket on their left shoulder.
  3. According to this community, upon death, the devotee merges with Shiva and does not return to this world.
  4. They do not believe in the doctrine of reincarnation, nor do they observe the *Shraddha* rituals.

The relationship between the king and the saint.

  1. There were cordial relations between the kings and the saints.
  2. A primary reason for this was the immense popularity of the saints among the common people.
  3. The saints had numerous followers; consequently, kings also held them in high regard.
  4. Kings sought to gain the support of the people through these saints.
  5. During their travels, the saints identified certain locations as abodes of the Divine.
  6. Later, kings commissioned the construction of magnificent temples at these sites.
  7. Such places came to be regarded as pilgrimage sites.
  8. Many kings had statues of the saints installed within the temples.
  9. For instance, this can be observed in the temples built at Chidambaram, Thanjavur, and Gangaikondacholapuram.

The Veerashaiva tradition of Karnataka

  1. In the 12th century, there lived a Brahmin in Karnataka named Basavanna.
  2. Initially, he followed Jainism, but later he opposed the Brahminical system.
  3. He spoke out against the social evils and caste-based inequalities prevalent in society and initiated reforms.
  4. Basavanna started a new tradition, and his followers came to be known as Veerashaivas or Lingayats.
  5. They worship Lord Shiva in the form of a *linga* (symbol).
  6. The Lingayat tradition does not require the mediation of Brahmins; anyone can worship Shiva.
  7. Even today, the Lingayat community remains a significant religious group in Karnataka and the surrounding regions.

The ideology of the Lingayats is somewhat as follows:

  1. Lingayats believed that upon death, a devotee merges with Shiva and does not return to the world.
  2. They did not believe in reincarnation (rebirth).
  3. They opposed the caste system and regarded everyone as equal.
  4. They also opposed untouchability.
  5. They emphasized burying the dead instead of cremating them.
  6. They supported the remarriage of widows.
  7. In their community, the deceased were buried during funeral rites.

A devotee of women

  1. Andal was a devotee of Vishnu, while Karaikal Ammaiyar was a devotee of Shiva.
  2. Both composed devotional songs and challenged patriarchy (male-dominated thinking).
  3. Andal regarded herself as Vishnu’s beloved and expressed her devotion through poetry.
  4. Karaikal Ammaiyar performed severe penance to attain Shiva.

Sufism in India

Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam that emphasizes love, tolerance, and spirituality. This ideology arrived in India around the 11th century and had a profound social and cultural impact.

The Arrival of Sufism in India:

  1. Sufi saints came to India primarily from Turkey, Persia, and Central Asia.
  2. Sufi saints first arrived in the regions of Sindh and Punjab.
  3. Sufi saints gained significant influence during the era of the Delhi Sultanate in the 12th century.

Key characteristics of Sufism

  1. They regard love and devotion as the path to reaching God.
  2. They embrace everyone, irrespective of religion, caste, or sect.
  3. Sufi saints led simple lives, detached from worldly attachments.
  4. Music (Qawwali), meditation, and *Zikr* (remembrance of God’s name) were their primary means of devotion.
  5. They resided in places known as *Khanqahs*, where they would meet, meditate, and instruct their followers.

Khanqah

  1. A *khanqah* was a place akin to an ashram for Sufi saints.
  2. The *Sheikh* (master) and his *murids* (disciples) resided there.
  3. People visited to express their faith and with the hope of having their wishes fulfilled.
  4. Arrangements for *langar* (community meals) were maintained at the *khanqah* throughout the day.
  5. It was managed by the *Sheikh*, *Pir*, or *Murshid*.
  6. They would initiate disciples and appoint *Khalifas* (deputies).

Pir and Dargah

  1. A *dargah* (shrine) is built after the death of a *Pir*.
  2. His *murids* (disciples) visit the site to pay their respects.

What is Sharia?

Sharia is the sacred law of Islam, which outlines the rules for living.

1. Ba-Sharia

  1. People who followed Sharia.
  2. They lived in a *khanqah*.

2. Be-Sharia

  1. Wandering ascetics who did not observe Sharia.
  2. They practiced devotion through music and dance.
  3. They were known as: Qalandar, Madari, and Haidari.

Dhimmis

  1. Under the rule of Muslim sultans, followers of other religions (such as Hinduism, Christianity, and Judaism) were known as *Dhimmis*.
  2. They were required to pay the *Jizya* tax.

Caliph

  1. The most revered figure in Islam is known as the Caliph.
  2. The Quran Sharif
  3. It is the holy book of Islam.
  4. It is written in Arabic and consists of 114 chapters.
  5. According to Muslim tradition, it is a compilation of messages from Allah that were revealed to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel between 610 and 632 CE.

The King and the Sufi

  1. There were good relations between kings and Sufis.
  2. Kings provided support, grants, and donations to the Sufis.
  3. Sufis were very popular among the common people, which is why kings supported them.
  4. Sufis used to distribute the money they received among the poor.

Chishti Order

  1. The Chishti order is the most popular Sufi order in India.
  2. The Chishti order was founded by Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in the 12th century.
  3. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti played a major role in spreading the Chishti order in India.
  4. Most Sufi *silsilas* (orders) are named after their founders or places of origin.
  5. The name “Chishti” is derived from the city of Chisht in Afghanistan.
  6. The “Qadiri *silsila*” is named after Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani.

Silsila

  1. The literal meaning of *Silsila* is “chain”; this chain signifies a continuous relationship between the *Sheikh* (master) and the *Murid* (disciple), the first unbroken link of which connects back to the Prophet Muhammad.
  2. Through this link, spiritual power and blessings were transmitted to the disciples. Sufi *Silsilas* began to emerge in the Islamic world around the 12th century.

Life in the Chishti Khanqah

  1. The *khanqah* was a central hub of social life.
  2. In the 14th century, Sheikh Nizamuddin’s hospice (*dharamshala*) on the banks of the Yamuna was renowned.
  3. Sheikh would meet visitors twice a day.
  4. There was an open kitchen (*langar*) where people from all walks of life would visit from morning till night.
  5. Visitors included figures such as Amir Khusrau, Amir Hasan Sijzi, and Ziauddin Barani.
  6. Pilgrimages to the shrines of Sufi saints are known as *ziyarat*; people undertook these journeys to seek *barkat* (blessings).

pilgrimage

  1. Ziyarat refers to the pilgrimage to the shrines of Sufi saints.
  2. Its purpose is to attain spiritual grace (barakat).
  3. It also involves music and dance.
  4. Sufis believed that this evokes divine bliss in the heart.
  5. A Sufi religious gathering is known as “Sama”.

Differences between traditions in Hinduism

1. Tantric Practice

  • It attaches less importance to the Vedas.
  • It emphasizes the worship of the Goddess and specific rituals.

2. Puranic Tradition

People consider their favorite deity, such as Vishnu or Shiva, to be supreme.

3. Vedic Tradition

In this, deities such as Agni, Indra, and Soma are worshipped.

Kabir

  1. Kabir was a renowned poet-saint of the 14th–15th centuries.
  2. He was born in Varanasi to a widow who
  3. abandoned him near Lahartara.
  4. He was raised by a weaver couple named Niru and Nima.
  5. Kabir advocated for a formless God and monotheism.
  6. Ramananda is considered to be his guru.
  7. His teachings are compiled in a text known as the ‘Bijak’.
  8. Many of his verses are also included in the Guru Granth Sahib.
  9. Kabir’s teachings are preserved across three traditions.

The Teachings of Kabir

Kabir’s verses are compiled in three distinct traditions—

  1. Kabir Bijak – Preserved by the followers of the Kabir Panth in Varanasi and other parts of Uttar Pradesh.
  2. Kabir Granthavali – Associated with the Dadu Panthis of Rajasthan.
  3. Adi Granth Sahib – Many of Kabir’s verses are compiled in the Adi Granth Sahib.

Mirabai

  1. Mirabai is arguably the most renowned poetess of the Bhakti tradition.
  2. She was born in the village of Kudki (Pali) and raised in Merta (Nagaur).
  3. Mirabai, a Rajput princess of Marwar, was married to Bhojraj, the son of Sanga—a ruler from the Sisodia dynasty of Mewar.
  4. After her marriage, she did not embrace a conventional domestic life; instead, she adopted the saffron robes of an ascetic.
  5. Following her husband’s death, Mirabai accepted Krishna—an incarnation of Vishnu—as her sole husband.
  6. Her spiritual teacher (guru) was Ravidas (also known as Raidas), a leatherworker from Kashi.
  7. This demonstrates that by accepting Ravidas—who belonged to a caste considered ‘low’—as her guru, Mira defied the rigid norms of a caste-based society.
  8. Her devotional songs deeply inspired the poor and people from lower castes in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Guru Nanak

  1. Guru Nanak was born in the village of Nankana in Punjab.
  2. He spent the greater part of his life with Sufi and Bhakti saints and traveled across the country.
  3. He was a proponent of *Nirgun Bhakti* (devotion to the formless Divine) and referred to God as ‘Rab’.
  4. He rejected Hindu and Muslim rituals and regarded the chanting of the Divine Name (*Naam Jap*) as true devotion.
  5. According to him, ‘Rab’ has neither form nor gender.
  6. His teachings are embodied in Punjabi hymns known as *Shabad*.
  7. He opposed the caste system and untouchability, and championed humanity.
  8. His teachings are compiled in the *Guru Granth Sahib*.

The five symbols of Sikhism, or the Panj Kakar.

Guru Gobind Singh commanded the Sikhs to wear five symbols, known as the Panj Kakar.

These are the five symbols—

  1. Uncut hair
  2. Kirpan
  3. Kachera
  4. Comb
  5. Iron bracelet.
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ncert Class 12 History Chapter 6 Notes

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Class 12 History Chapter 6 Notes: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions
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