7th Standard, Social science, History LESSON 8
BHAKTHI CULT AND SUFI HERITAGE
EXERCISES
I. Fill in the blanks with suitable words:
1. Channamallikarjuna’ is the pen name of Akkamahadevi.
2. Purandaradasa was in the court of Krishnadevaraya
3. ‘Adikeshava’ is the pen name of Kanakadasa.
4. Kabir of Karnataka is Shishunala Sharifa
5. Chaithanya’s first name is Vishwambara.
6. Sufi saint Khwaja Bande Nawaj’s other name is Gesudaraj.
II. Answer the following questions in one sentence:
1. What is the original name of Aandal?
Answer: The original name of Aandal is Godadevi.
2. Where was Akkamahadevi born?
Answer: Akkamahadevi was born in Uduthadi of Shivamogga District.
3. Who is Karnataka Sangeetha Pithamaha?
Answer: Purandaradasa is Karnataka Sangeetha Pithamaha.
4. Name Kanakadasa’s parents.
Answer: Beerappa and Bachamma were Kanakadasa’s parents.
5. Who is the first Kannada Muslim poet?
Answer: Shishunala Sharifa is the first Kannada Muslim poet.
6. Which is the sacred book of Sikhs?
Answer: ‘Grantha Sahib’ is the sacred book of Sikhs.
7. Who is called as Radha of Kaliyuga?
Answer: Meerabai is called as Radha of Kaliyuga.
8. What is the meaning of the word Sufi?
Answer: The word Sufi comes from the word ‘Saaf’ which means clean or clear.
9. Who were the Sufi saints of India?
Answer: Nizamuddin Auliya, Khwaja Bande Nawaz and Moyinuddin Chisthi were the Sufi saints of India.
10. Who was the founder of Chisthi cult?
Answer: Moyinuddin Chisthi was the founder of Chisthi cult.
III. Answer the following in two-three sentences each:
1. Write the teachings of Kabirdas
Answer: The teachings of Kabirdas are as follows.
1. He condemned caste system, luxurious life, caste superiority and religious inequality
Allah and Rama are the two names of one God.
2. He described Hindus and Muslims as pots of same clay. Kabir told that he is the son of Rama and Allah.
3. According to him, it is not possible to see God by fasting, torturing the body and visiting sacred pilgrimages. It is only possible by sacred devotion.
4. He taught his philosophy through ‘Doha’ (Two lines poems) which is simple and easy to understand by common man.
2. What were the teachings of Gurunanak?
Answer: The teachings of Gurunanak are as follows.
- Guru Nanak had great belief in the existence of God. He preached that God is one to the world.
- He is true and eternal. He said one should not cheat, deceive, steal and do violence in life.
- He said, one can gain Bhakthi through Guru and with Bhakthi one can attain Mukthi.
- He opposed social evils like Idol worshipping, caste system, Sathi System etc.,
3. What are influences of Bhakthi cult?
Answer: The influences of Bhakthi cult are,
- Bhakthi saints created harmony between Hindu and Muslims.
- Bhakthi saints wrote in simple common man’s language. Due to this Indian native languages were enriched.
4. Summarise the essence of Sufi cult.
Answer: The essence of Sufi cult are as follows.
1. It claimed that God is one, He is powerful and we are all his children.
2. Encouraged good deeds
3. Proclaims that all are equal.
4. Opposed caste system.
Gradually Sufis were influenced by Yoga, Vedantha, and Buddhist thoughts. Dharma means love, service to mankind was the basic philosophy of Sufis.
IV. Match the following items mentioned in ‘A’ with information given in ‘B’.
A B
1. Gurunanak b) Sikh religion
2. Chaithanya d) Harekrishna cult
3. Nijamuddin Aulia a) Sufi Saint
4. Meerabai c) Radha of Kaliyuga
Discuss:
Discuss the relevance of preachings of Bhakthi cult.
Answer: India was a country with diverse social practices. As the people of middle Ages sought social and religious reforms, the saints of Bhakti cult and Sufi tradition during this period brought in a reformation. They stressed the importance of global brotherhood and taught that Bhakthi is the best way to attain Moksha. This path is called Bhakthi Cult. The relevance of preachings of Bhakthi cult are as follows.
1. It condemned discrimination between upper and lower caste and proposed equality.
2. The Saints of Bhakthi cult opposed and condemned superstitious practices.
3. They undertook the task of uniting the hearts of people
4. According to Sufi Saints dharma is love and service to mankind. God is one, not many, they preached.
Activities:
1. Collect the photos of Bhakthi saints with their details.
2. Read the Biographies of Sri Chaithanya, Guru Nanak, Meerabai, Tulasidas, Kabir, Surdas and Sufi saints.
3. Listen to Meera Bhajans
4. Collect more information about Sufi cult. Discuss their influences on India’s multi religious society and their relevance in the present context and make short note.
Additional Questions and Answers.
- What are the Gist of Bhakthi cult?
Answer: The gist of Bhakthi cult are as follows.
1. It condemned discrimination between upper and lower caste and proposed equality.
2. The Saints of Bhakthi cult opposed and condemned superstitious practices.
3. They undertook the task of uniting the hearts of people
4. According to Sufi Saints dharma is love and service to mankind. God is one, not many, they preached.
2. Who were the parents of Akkamahadevi?
Answer: The parents of Akkamahadevi are Nirmalashetty and Sumathi.
3 . ‘Aandal’ was an adopted daughter of Vishnuchitha.
4 . The original name of Purandaradasa was Srinivasa Nayaka.
5 . Name the parents of Purandaradasa.
Answer: Father of Purandaradasa was Varadappa Nayaka and mother Leelavathi.
6 . The original name of Kanakadasa was Thimmappa.
7. Who is Meerabai?
Answer: Meerabai is known as the “Kaliyuga’s Radha” saint Meerabai was the greatest composer of Keerthanas. She was born in a Rajput family in Rajasthan. She was Raja Rathansingh’s daughter. She was married to prince of Mewar.
