Devotional Path To The Devine Class 7 important questions with answers PDF download
FAQs on CBSE Important Questions for Class 7 Social Science Devotional Path To The Devine - 2025-26
1. What are the most important topics from Chapter 6, 'Devotional Paths to the Divine,' for the CBSE Class 7 Social Science exam 2025-26?
For the 2025-26 exams, students should focus on a few key areas that are frequently asked in 3-mark and 5-mark questions. These include:
- The core teachings of major Bhakti saints like Kabir and Guru Nanak.
- The distinction between Saguna (with attributes) and Nirguna (without attributes) bhakti.
- The fundamental principles and practices of Sufism in India.
- The contributions of the South Indian saints, the Alvars and Nayanars.
2. Who were the Alvars and Nayanars? Explain their significance in a 3-mark question format.
The Alvars and Nayanars were Tamil poet-saints who led the early Bhakti movement in South India between the seventh and ninth centuries.
- Nayanars were saints devoted to Lord Shiva.
- Alvars were saints devoted to Lord Vishnu.
3. Describe the main teachings of Baba Guru Nanak, which could be asked as a 5-mark question.
The main teachings of Baba Guru Nanak form a critical part of this chapter for long-answer questions. Key points to include are:
- Worship of One God: He insisted on the worship of one, formless God (Nirankar) and taught that caste, creed, or gender was irrelevant for attaining liberation.
- Importance of Right Living: He emphasised the importance of an active life with a strong sense of social commitment.
- Three Pillars of Teaching: His teachings are summarised as nam (worship of God's name), dan (charity and welfare of others), and isnan (purity of conduct).
- Idea of Equality: He established a common kitchen (langar) where everyone could eat together, regardless of their background, to promote equality.
4. How were the ideas of the Bhakti saints different from those of the Sufi masters?
While both movements emphasized love and devotion, there were key differences often tested in HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) questions:
- Origin and Deity: The Bhakti movement emerged from Hindu traditions, with devotion directed towards deities like Vishnu or Shiva. Sufism has its roots in Islam, with devotion directed towards Allah.
- Core Philosophy: Bhakti saints sought salvation and closeness to a personal god. Sufis sought fana, or the annihilation of the self to achieve union with God, whom they often referred to as the 'Beloved'.
- Key Figures: Bhakti saints include figures like Ramanuja, Kabir, and Mirabai. Key Sufi masters in India included Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of the Chishti silsila (order).
5. What is the difference between saguna and nirguna bhakti? Which type of questions can be expected from this topic?
This is a frequently asked concept, typically for 2 or 3 marks.
- Saguna Bhakti: This path involves the worship of a God with form or attributes. Devotees focus on specific deities like Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, or Devi. Saints like Tulsidas and Mirabai are key examples.
- Nirguna Bhakti: This path involves the worship of a God who is formless and without any attributes. The focus is on an abstract, universal divine reality. Saints like Kabir and Guru Nanak are primary examples.
6. Why did the Bhakti and Sufi movements gain immense popularity among the common people during the medieval period?
This is a conceptual question that tests a student's understanding of the social context. The movements became popular because:
- They offered a simple path to salvation based on love and devotion, which was easier to follow than complex rituals.
- They strongly criticised the rigid caste system and social hierarchies, appealing to lower-caste groups.
- The saints composed their songs and poems in regional languages (like Hindi, Marathi, Tamil) instead of Sanskrit, making their teachings understandable to the masses.
- They promoted ideals of social equality and compassion, which resonated with ordinary people.
7. Explain the major beliefs and practices of the Sufis as an important exam question.
The major beliefs and practices of the Sufis are a common topic for short-answer questions. A good answer should include:
- Rejection of Orthodoxy: Sufis rejected the elaborate rituals and codes of behaviour demanded by orthodox Muslim religious scholars.
- Seeking Union with God: They sought a deep, personal connection with God through intense love and devotion, much like a lover seeks their beloved.
- Compassion: They emphasised compassion towards all fellow human beings.
- Methods of Training: They developed elaborate methods of training using practices like zikr (chanting of a name), contemplation, sama (singing), and raqs (dancing) under the guidance of a master or pir.
8. Did Kabir try to start a new religion? Clarify this common misconception from an exam perspective.
This is a critical thinking question. No, Kabir did not intend to start a new religion. His teachings were a powerful critique of the existing major religions, particularly Hinduism and Islam. He condemned the worship of idols, meaningless rituals, and social discrimination based on caste. His aim was to promote a path of universal love and devotion to a single, formless Supreme God. While his followers, known as the Kabir Panth, later organised themselves into a distinct religious community, Kabir's primary goal was social and spiritual reform, not the foundation of a new faith.
