"In the late 12th Century, the Chishtis adapted to the local environment and adopted features of Indian devotional traditions." Explain.
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The Chishtis were the Sufis who migrated to India in the late 12th century. They were highly influential in the sub-continent. They easily adapted to the local environment and adopted features of Indian devotional traditions. With the expansion in the popularity of Shaikh Nizamuddin, an important Chishti teacher, their teachings, practices and organisation began to be spread throughout the country. The people from different creeds, classes and social backgrounds started expressing their dedication at the dargahs of the five great Chishti saints.
Every ardent follower will undertake a pilgrimage, called ziyarat, to the tombs of Sufi saints to invoke their blessings. An important part of the ziyarat is the use of music, performances and dance including mystical chants. Mostly it would be done by specially trained musicians or qawwals to induce heavenly blessings and happiness. The Sufis performed ziyarat either by reciting the zikr or through sama - the performance of mystical music. Sama was a vital component of the Chishti practice. Also, it enabled interaction with the indigenous devotional traditions. During sama, the Chishtis adopted the local language.
Not just in sama, the Chishtis mostly used Hindavi, the local language of the people for conversations and talks in Delhi and other places. Most of them used local language in their writings and scriptures. Sufis such as Baba Farid composed his verses in the local language. His verses are found included in the Guru Granth Sahib. Many others composed poems and masnavis to express ideas of divine love. All these helped them to easily adapt to the local culture and environment.
A major characteristic of the Chishti tradition lies in strict austerity including maintaining distance from the worldly power. But, the Sufis accepted grants and donations from the kings and elites. They accepted these donations both in cash and kind. But mostly they preferred to have their immediate requirements of food, clothes, living quarters and ritual necessities fulfilled rather than having accumulated donations. All this enhanced their social position and helped them adapt to the local environment and adopt features of the Indian devotional traditions.