Class 12 History Chapter 6 NCERT Solutions – Bhakti Sufi Traditions

Short Questions (100-150 Words)

1. Explain with examples what historians mean by the integration of cults.

Answer: The “integration of cults” refers to the process where local and regional cults or deities were merged with Sanskritic, Brahmanical religious traditions. For example, the tribal deity at Puri was integrated into the Hindu fold as Jagannatha, a form of Vishnu, and worshipped in major temples.

2. To what extent do you think mosque architecture in India reflects a combination of universal ideals and local traditions?

Answer: Mosque architecture in India combines universal Islamic features like mihrab and minbar with local traditions, materials, and construction techniques, such as domes in regional styles or temple pillars. For instance, the shape of roofs in Kerala mosques reflects indigenous design, showing this fusion.

3. What were the similarities and differences between the be-shari‘a and ba-shari‘a sufi traditions?

Answer: Both be-shari‘a and ba-shari‘a sufis valued spiritual experience and devotion. However, ba-shari‘a sufis followed Islamic law (shari‘a) while be-shari‘a sufis often disregarded it, favoring an antinomian, sometimes ascetic, lifestyle outside conventional norms.

4. Discuss the ways in which the Alvars, Nayanars and Virashaivas expressed critiques of the caste system.

Answer: The Alvars, Nayanars, and Virashaivas included members from various castes, even those formerly considered “untouchable.” Their compositions often rejected ritual hierarchy and advocated devotion over birth, thus challenging Brahmanical dominance and the rigid caste order.

5. Describe the major teachings of either Kabir or Baba Guru Nanak, and how these have been transmitted.

Answer: Kabir stressed devotion to a singular, formless God, rejected caste, and attacked ritualism. His teachings survive in oral tradition, collections like Kabir Bijak, Kabir Granthavali, and Adi Granth, and are practiced by Kabirpanth communities across India.

6. Discuss the major beliefs and practices that characterised Sufism.

Answer: Sufism emphasized love and devotion towards God over strict adherence to religious law (shari‘a). Major practices included zikr (remembrance of God), sama‘ (listening to devotional music), and visiting dargahs (shrines of saints). Sufis organized themselves into silsilas (orders) led by a prominent pir or shaikh. Many sufis lived in khanqahs, which served as spiritual retreats and hospices. Sufi orders like Chishti and Suhrawardi adapted local languages and customs, making them accessible to a broader population, fostering a spirit of tolerance, equality, and universal love. Sufi saints often provided spiritual guidance and welfare to all, regardless of caste or creed. They valued humility, service, and charity, with traditions like offering langar (free kitchens) at khanqahs. Their beliefs and practices allowed sufism to become a powerful force for social harmony and religious change in medieval India.

7. Examine how and why rulers tried to establish connections with the traditions of the Nayanars and the Sufis.

Answer: Rulers allied themselves with Nayanar and Sufi traditions to gain legitimacy, support popular religious beliefs, and solidify political support. For example, Chola kings built grand Shiva temples, supported hymn-singing, and sponsored festivals that elevated Nayanar saints. Similarly, Sultanate and Mughal rulers funded Sufi khanqahs and visited dargahs, like Akbar’s famous pilgrimages to Ajmer, to benefit from the charisma and influence of Sufi saints. Rulers’ association with these traditions portrayed them as just and pious, helped integrate diverse communities, and enabled access to the moral authority enjoyed by saints among the people. Such patronage also helped rulers stabilize their power in times of social tension, using the spiritual capital and popular following saints commanded. However, this relationship was not without tension, as some saints discouraged too close ties with royal authority, upholding their independence.

8. Analyse, with illustrations, why bhakti and sufi thinkers adopted a variety of languages in which to express their opinions.

Answer: Bhakti and Sufi thinkers adopted local languages (vernaculars) so their teachings reached wider audiences, transcending elite or learned circles. For example, Alvars and Nayanars composed in Tamil, Kabir used Hindi dialects, and Guru Nanak wrote in Punjabi and regional idioms. Sufi saints like Amir Khusrau created poetry in Hindavi. This linguistic choice promoted accessibility, allowing common folk, including women and lower castes, to participate in devotional traditions. Oral composition and the use of song forms, such as bhajan, qawwali, and vachana, made ideas easy to remember and spread. Using popular languages also meant that teachings could engage with local traditions, beliefs, and metaphors, enriching religious and literary culture and ensuring the survival and expansion of Bhakti and Sufi ideas over centuries.

9. Read any five sources included above and discuss the social and religious ideas expressed in them.

Answer: The selected sources reveal strong critiques of caste and ritualism, as seen in Tondaradippodi’s and Appar’s statements that devotion is more important than birth or adherence to law books. Karaikkal Ammaiyar’s verses show the challenge to patriarchal and aesthetic norms, embracing asceticism over traditional femininity. Basavanna criticizes meaningless rituals and idol worship. Jahanara’s account presents humility and egalitarianism in Sufi practice, while Kabir’s verse expresses the notion of divine unity, rejecting sectarian divisions between Hindu and Muslim. These sources demonstrate how Bhakti and Sufi traditions promoted equality, devotion, and direct connection to the Divine, often resisting rigid social orders.

Map Work

10. On an outline map of India, plot three major sufi shrines, and three places associated with temples (one each of a form of Vishnu, Shiva and the goddess).

Projects (choose one)

11. Choose any two of the religious teachers/thinkers/saints mentioned in this chapter, and find out more about their lives and teachings. Prepare a report about the area and the times in which they lived, their major ideas, how we know about them, and why you think they are important.

12. Find out more about practices of pilgrimage associated with the shrines mentioned in this chapter. Are these pilgrimages still undertaken? When are these shrines visited? Who visits these shrines? Why do they do so? What are the activities associated with these pilgrimages?

Bhakti Sufi Traditions: Key Concepts & Study Guide

Mastering NCERT Solutions Class 12 History Chapter 6 Bhakti Sufi Traditions is crucial for exam success. This chapter explores major religious movements in India and their impact on society, helping students build a strong conceptual foundation.

Regular revision of essential topics like Bhakti and Sufi saints, their teachings, and the blend of local traditions will boost your confidence. Focus on key events, thinkers, and their main practices to enhance your memory and analytical skills for the exam.

Review the exercise-based questions for this chapter to improve your understanding and structure effective answers. Smart preparation with concept-oriented study is a proven way to excel in History for the latest NCERT syllabus 2025-26.