UPSC Notes

Bhakti movement found its way into the hearts of millions in India. It is responsible for promoting an emotional attachment to one’s language, geographical guidelines, religious customs and rituals. This movement played a huge role in the development of regional languages in India, which are accepted as official languages today. Bhakti movement provided an impetus

Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh religion and a disciple of Kabir. He was born in Talwandi near Lahore. He denounced caste distinctions and rituals like bathing in holy rivers. His conception of religion was highly practical and sternly ethical. He exhorted people to give up selfish- ness, falsehood and hypocrisy and to lead a

Kabir was different from the other followers of Ramananda in one very significant way. He did not give up home and worldly possessions which the others had done. But he remained in contact with his family, helped them in their economic needs, and participated in all important family functions like marriages and funerals. He was

Ramananda was born at Allahabad. He was originally a follower of Ramanuja. Later he founded his own sect and preached his principles in Hindi at Banaras and Agra. The faith of Ramanandis is known as the Radhasoami Faith. He opposed the caste system and chose his disciples from all sections of society disregarding caste. He

In the ninth century, Samara started a Hindu revivalist movement giving a new orientation to Hinduism. He was born in Kaladi in Kerala. His doctrine of Advaita or Monism was too abstract to appeal to the common man. Moreover, there was a reaction against the Advaita concept of Nirgunabrahman (God without attributes) with the emergence

Bhakti in medieval India was a socio-religious movement that arose from the common people and spread rapidly. It was a beautiful phase in our history when there were no rigid sectarian barriers. There was the beautiful fusion of the Hindu way of life, Spirituality, art, and culture. This medieval Bhakti movement was the direct result