Question

(c)
Explain the significance of Bhakti movement on Indian culture.​

Answer 1

The significance of the Bhakti movement on Indian culture can be broadly divided into two parts, the religious impacts and the impacts on the indian society.

Explanation:

• The Bhakti movement was a movement started by the Hindu saints who emphasized on the devotion to God rather than on the rituals.
• It was started in South India, where many saints and gurus sang chants and hymns on praising Gods.
• Some of the famous figures during the Bhakti movement are Guru Nanak, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Kabir Das, etc.
• It has various impacts on the Indian culture, especially in religious and social areas.
• The first impact on religion can be that the rituals in Hinduism which has become so rigid to the point of becoming evil was lowered. The Brahmins who emerged as the superior caste was questioned with the idea of universal brotherhood.
• A new religion, that is Sikhism emerged in the Indian subcontinent with its first Guru and founder, Guru Nanak Dev.
• With the idea of universal brotherhood, the conditions of the lower castes and untouchables were improved.
• And because the Bhakti movement was a liberal form of religion, it welcomed and treated all the religions alike. Therefore, better cooperation was seen among the different religions of India, particularly Hindus and Muslims.