Bhakti Movement - GS questions based on daily current affairs

1)   The founder of the Bhakti Movement in Maharashtra was

a. Tukaram
b. Dnyaneshwar
c. Eknath
d. Namdev
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Dnyaneshwar

Explanation:
Dnyaneshwar was the founder of the Bhakti Movement in Maharashtra in the thirteenth century. It was called Maharashtra dharma. He wrote a commentary of Bhagavat Gita called Dnyaneshwari.


2)   Which of the following indicates the correct chronology of flourishing of the Bhakti saints?

a. Ramananda - Guru Nanak – Namdev – Dynaneshwar - Tukaram
b. Ramananda – Dynaneshwar - Guru Nanak - Namdev - Tukaram
c. Dynaneshwar - Namdev - Ramananda - Guru Nanak - Tukaram
d. Ramananda - Guru Nanak - Dynaneshwar - Namdev –- Tukaram
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Dynaneshwar - Namdev - Ramananda - Guru Nanak - Tukaram

Explanation:
Dynaneshwar - 13th century; Namdev – 13th and 14th century ; Ramananda – First half 15th century; Guru Nanak – 15th and 16th century, Disciple of Kabir, Kabir disciple of Ramananda; Tukaram – 17th century


3)   In the Bhakti tradition, who popularized kirtans?

a. Tukaram
b. Surdas
c. Chaitanya
d. Namdev
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Chaitanya

Explanation:
The early sufis popularized musical gatherings called ‘sama’. Chaitanya popularized kirtans or musical gatherings as a special form of mystic experience.


4)   Before accepting Bhakti as one of the recognized road to salvation, which of the following was/were the only road/roads to salvation?

1) Dnyana
2) Karma
3) Bhaav


a. 1 and 2
b. 2 and 3
c. 1 and 3
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 1 and 2

Explanation:
Dnyana (Knowledge) and Karma (Action) led to domination of priests. Bhakti emphasized bhaav, faith in god, love towards god and service to humanity, etc. thus removing need for the priests.


5)   The Bhakti movement was started by

a. Shankara
b. Ramanada
c. Alvars
d. Sufi teachers
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Alvars

Explanation:
Bhakti cult rose during the seventh and eight centuries. The Saivaite Nayanars and Vaishnavaite Alvars preached the Bhakti cult under the Pallavas, Pandyas and Cholas. But, the spread of Bhakti movement in medieval India is a different kind. This medieval Bhakti movement was the direct result of the influence of the spread of Islam in India. Monotheism or belief in one God, equality and brotherhood of man and rejection of rituals and class divisions are the distinctive characteristics of Islam. These Islamic ideas created a profound impact on the religious leaders of this period. Moreover, the preaching of Sufi teachers shaped the thinking of Bhakti reformers like Ramananda, Kabir and Nanak.


6)   Which of the following statement/s is/are correct with regards to impact of the Bhakti movement?

1) Position of women was raised
2) Removed caste system
3) Provided an impetus for the development of regional languages
4) Hindu Muslim Unity


a. Only 2, 3 and 4
b. Only 2 and 4
c. Only 1, 3 and 4
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Only 1, 3 and 4

Explanation:
Through regional languages they made direct appeal to the masses. They condemned the caste system and included all people, thus increasing the importance of lower castes. Bhakti movement gave equal importance to them. They gave to the people a simple religion, without complicated rituals. They were required to show sincere devotion to God.


7)   Which of the following statements are true?

1. Basava was a 12th century Indian philosopher, statesman, Kannada poet in Shiva-focussed bhakti movement.
2. Basava spread social awareness through his poetry, popularly known as Vachanaas.
3. He was founder of Lingayatism.


a. 1,2
b. 2,3
c. 1,3
d. All
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: All

Explanation:
No explanation is available for this question!


8)   Consider the following statements

1. Kudalasangama in India is an important center of pilgrimage for people of the Lingayat faith.
2. The Krishna and Tungbhadra River rivers merge here and flow east towards Srisaila.
3. The Aikya Mantapa or the holy Samadhi of Basavanna, the founder of the Lingayat faith is located at Kudalasangama.

Which of the above statements are true?


a. 1,2
b. 2,3
c. 1,3
d. All
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 1,3

Explanation:
Kudalasangama is in Bagalkot district of Karnataka state. The Krishna and Malaprabha River rivers merge here and flow east towards Srisaila.