Question

state the importance of bhakti movement in reforming and uniting the Indian society ?

Answer 1

Bhakti movement
You will recall that the Bhakti movement was a socio-religious movement that opposed religious bigotry and social rigidities. It emphasised good character and pure thinking. At a time when society had become stagnant, the Bhakti saints infused new life and strength.


They awakened a new sense of confidence and attempted to redefine social and religious values. Saints like Kabir and Nanak stressed upon the reordering of society along egalitarian lines. Their call to social equality attracted many a downtrodden. Although Kabir and Nanak had no intention of founding new religions but following their deaths, their supporters grouped together as Kabir panthis and Sikhs respectively.


The importance of the Bhakti and Sufi saints lies in the new atmosphere created by them, which continued to affect the social, religious and political life of India even in later centuries. Akbar’s liberal ideas were a product of this atmosphere in which he was born and brought up. The preaching of Guru Nanak were passed down from generation to generation. 


This resulted in the growth of a separate religious group, with its separate language and script Gurmukhi and religious book, Guru Granth Sahib. Under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sikhs grew into a formidable political force in the politics of North India.The interaction between the Bhakti and Sufi saints had an impact upon Indian society. 

Answer 2

The Bhakti movement in India created far-reaching impact, the chief among them is, however, the following:

1.  Removing the bitterness between the Hindus and the Muslims

Most of the Bhakti reformers laid a great emphasis on the equality of all the religions and preached the principle of co­existence.

As a result of their teachings much of the bitterness between the Hindus and the Muslims was removed. The Hindus began to worship Muslim saints and the Muslims began to show respect for the Hindu Gods.

2. Wholesome Effect on Indian Rulers

The Bhakti move­ment created a good influence on the Indian rulers, who began to treat all their subjects alike, generously and impartially. It created, such national rulers as Sher Shah Suri and Akbar and encouraged national way of thinking.

3. Rise of Vernacular Literature

The Bhakti reformers adopted the common language of the people and preached in it instead of preaching either in Sanskrit or in Persian. In this way a great impetus was given to the development of the vernaculars.

4. Checking the Speed of Conversion

The ideas of unity of Godhead and brotherhood of man greatly appealed to the low caste, among the Hindus and consequently they began to embrace Islam with a rapid speed. But fortunately these Bhakti reform came to the fore-front and told the people that those principle were not new to Hinduism but were contained in the Upanishad and the Bhagavad-Gita. They warned the Hindus that they should give up their evils, such as caste-distinctions, image-worship and worthless rituals etc. in order to save themselves from extinction. Their teachings had the desired effect and the Hindus reformed themselves accordingly and checked the speed of conversion.

5. A Great Setback to the Superiority of the Brahmins

The Bhakti reformers preached against ritualism, sacrifices, and unnecessary religious rites, equality of all men and superiority of none. In this way the Brahmans received a great set-back to their superiority.