Question

describe the impact of bhakti and sufi movement?

Answer 1

The Bhakti and Sufi Movement in India played an important role in bringing harmony between the Hindus and the Muslims.

Bhakti Movement

The Bhakti Movement was a reform movement in Hinduism. It occupies a significant position in bringing about harmony and normal relationships between the Hindus and Muslims.

The development of the Bhakti cult first began in South India in the 7th-8th century in order to bridge the gulf between the Shaivas and the Vaishnavas. It stood for intense personal devotion and complete self-surrender to God. It believed in the unity of godhead, brotherhood of man and equality of all religions. The roots of the Bhakti Movement can be traced to the Upanishads, the Puranas and the Bhagvad Gita. Shankaracharya is reputed to have been the first and principal exponent of this reform movement.

After the advent of Islam, the necessity of making Hinduism a living active force in the life of the common people was felt deeply. Islam with its liberal outlook, equality of status among its followers, and concept of one God, posed great threat to Hindu society that was suffering from ritualism, rigid caste system, evils of untouchability and multiplicity of gods and goddesses. In this situation many lower class Hindus were attracted by the catholic outlook of Islam in these respects. They were also tempted to adopt Islam which could afford them better status in society and a less cumbersome religion. But at this critical juncture the preachers of Bhakti Movement tried to bring harmony among various religons. The often condemned the Hindu Caste System. Though the Bhakti cult had a long tradition, it was during this time that the cult grew to a new dimension.

Sufi Movement

The Sufi Movement had twofold aims:

To make their own spiritual progress andTo serve the mankind.

Sufism, which started as a reform movement, laid emphasis on free-thinking, liberal ideas and toleration. They believed in the equality of all human beings and brotherhood of man. Their concept of universal brotherhood and the humanitarian ideas of the Sufi saints attracted the Indian mind. A movement similar to Sufism, called the Bhakti cult, was already afoot in India on the eve of the Muslim conquest of the country.