With reference to the religious history of medieval India, the Sufi mystics were known to pursue whi

Q: What is UPSC Prelims?

UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2012 UPSC Prelims History paper.

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This UPSC Prelims 2012 History question has a medium difficulty level and is marked as an important question.

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Question

With reference to the religious history of medieval India, the Sufi mystics were known to pursue which of the following practices?Meditation and control of breath.Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place.Recitation of holy songs to arouse a state of ecstasy in their audience.Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: D — 1, 2 and 3Solution:Sufism is the mystical dimension of Islam — emphasising direct personal experience of the Divine. Sufi practices include all three listed elements:Statement 1 — Meditation and control of breath: Correct. Sufi practices include muraqaba (meditation, contemplation) and various breath control techniques — particularly in orders like the Naqshbandiyya and Shadhiliyya — as means of achieving spiritual states and closeness to God. Some Sufi orders were specifically influenced by yogic practices in India. ✓Statement 2 — Severe ascetic exercises in lonely places: Correct. Many Sufi masters undertook chilla (forty-day retreat in solitude) — a period of intense ascetic exercises, fasting, and spiritual practice in isolation. This was a standard practice for advanced Sufi disciples and was similar in some ways to the Hindu practice of tapas. ✓Statement 3 — Recitation of holy songs to arouse ecstasy in audience: Correct. Sama (listening to devotional music) and the singing of qawwalis (devotional songs) to induce a state of spiritual ecstasy (wajd or hal) is a central practice in many Sufi orders — particularly the Chishtiyya (the most influential Sufi order in India). Amir Khusrau is credited with developing the qawwali form in India. ✓Key Concept: Major Sufi orders (silsilas) in India: Chishtiyya (most popular, music-oriented, urs at dargahs) — Moinuddin Chishti (Ajmer), Nizamuddin Auliya (Delhi), Salim Chishti (Fatehpur Sikri); Suhrawardiyya — Bahauddin Zakariya (Multan), Sheikh Farid (Pakpattan); Qadiriyya; Naqshbandiyya (opposed to music, strict orthodoxy). The Chishti order's popularity in India is attributed to its egalitarian approach — accepting disciples regardless of caste or religion, operating free community kitchens (langar), and using local languages and music. Sufi shrines (dargahs) became important centres of syncretic culture where Hindus and Muslims mingled freely. Sufi thought influenced Bhakti saints like Kabir and Guru Nanak.

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