Page 46 - Journeys Through Society-7

Sufi Movement Allah were two different names of one supreme being.
A large number of sufi saints came to India after the They also emphasised love for all human beings and
establishment of the Turkish empire. They believed denounced castes and sects.
that through Prayers one can unite with God. They
also lived a simple life. They organised religious orders Impact of Bhakti and Sufi Movement
called silsilahs. The main religious orders are Chishti, The Bhakti and Sufi movements loosened the hold of
Suhrawardi and Naqshbandi. Each order is led by a the rigidities of casteism and ritualism on the people.
teacher called a Pir and followers are called the They promoted the concepts of peace and unity in an
murids. age marked by innumerable wars. They created an
The sufis led simple lives in Khanqahs (hermitages) atmosphere of trust and brotherhood among the
which resembled monasteries. People from all walks Hindus and the Muslims.
of life gathered at the Khanqahs for collective Despite of their differences, both movements have
devotional singing, spiritual discussions and getting had a significant impact on their respective religions
advice on their problems. Another common practice and continue to influence people’s spiritual lives even
among the devotees was the visit to the dargahs or today.
tombs of the saints as they were considered to be
blessed with miraculous powers which could relieve
them of their illnesses and troubles.

The founder of the Chishti silsilah was Khwaja
Muinuddin Chishti. He was one of the better-known
Sufi saints. He is associated with the city of Ajmer
where he died in 1235 CE. His tomb or dargah at Ajmer
Sufi Movement
is a place of pilgrimage which is visited by people of all
faiths. The followers of Chishti held gatherings, where AI Fact
some of the finest music could be heard. Qawwali Technology Literacy
became an important form of music for the Sufis. AI has recently been used to improve religious practices
and make spiritual experiences more personal. AI is
Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya, Nasiruddin Chirag used in religion to make prayer chatbots so that people
of Delhi, Salim Chishti of Agra and Baba Shaikh Farid of can pray or do religious ceremonies online. One
Punjab were other famour Sufi saints who preached example is the Jewish prayer chatbot made by Tel Aviv
religious tolerance. They emphasised that Ishwar and University, Israel.

Revision Notes

• The early medieval period saw the rise and spread of the Bhakti movement, first in south India, and
then in the north.
• The word ‘Bhakti’ means ‘devotion to God’. The Bhakti saints preached the message of love through
hymns.
• Bhakti saints were very popular with the masses because they preached the people in popular
languages.
• The medieval period also witnessed the rise of Sufism.

• The Bhakti and Sufi movements created an atmosphere of trust and brotherhood among the Hindu
and the Muslims.

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