phakti movement became the dominant feature of sinduism in the 14% and 15® centuries. Is origin can fetraced to Ancient Indian religious traditions. We Fd the idea of Bhakti in the Vedas, Upanishads, the ‘and the Puranas, The Vedanta lays down three ans for the attainment of salvation - Gyan Marga, Thich stresses on the acquisition of true knowledge; ama Marga, which stresses on disinterested action; snd Bhakti Marga, which stresses on the devotional worship of God. In the beginning Sufism developed _in Mesopotamia, Arabia, Iran and modern Afghanistan. Itwas formalized by the end of the 8% century. Right from the beginning there was a hiatus between the Ulemas and the Sufis. The latter claimed to be delving into the interior of religion, which depended on the heart. ‘TheSufi and Bhakti traditions are characterised by adherence to a religious text, governmental authority and opposed to the external ritualism of prayer. The Sufis aim for a direct relationship with God and thus their basic features incorporate strands from various sources including Hinduism. BHAKTI MOVEMENT © Bhakti as a religious concept means devotional surrender toa personally conceived Supreme God for attaining salvation. The origin of this doctrine has been traced to both the Brahmanical and Buddhist traditions of ancient India and to various scriptures such as the Gita. © However, it was for the e in South India between the seventh and tenth century that Bhakti grew froma mere religious doctrine into a popular movement based on religious equality and broad- based social participation. In the eleventh century, Bhakti movement was revived as a philosophical and ideological of wandering scholars or hf Crp Acharyas such as Ramanuja. ‘These movements could be understood as a continuation or revival of the older South Indian Bhakti movement. "By the 14 and 15 centuries, Bhakti movement became the dominant feature of Hinduism. FACTORS BEHIND RISE OF BHAKTI MOVEMENT The Bhakti movement which influenced a large number of people during 14-17" centuries in North India emerged due to a number of political, socio- economic and religious factors. Political Factors © Ithas been pointed out that as the popular Bhakti movement could not take root in Northern India before the Turkish conquest because the socio- religious milieu was dominated by the Rajput- Brahman alliance which was hostile to any heterodox movement. 4 The Turkish conquests brought the supremacy of this alliance to an end. ™ Theadventof slam with the Turkish conquest also caused a setback to the power and prestige commanded by the Brahmans. 4 Thus, the way was paved for the growth of non- conformist movements, with anti-caste and anti- Brahmanical ideology. % The non-conformist sect of the nathpanthis was pethaps the first to gain from the declining power of the Rajput-Brahman alliance. This sect seems to have reached its peak in the beginning of the Sultanate period. The loss of power and influence by the Brahmans and the new political situation ultimately created the conditions for the rise of the popular monotheistic movements and other Bhakti movements in Northern India.cme tey fe overents of Tents econ FS Done ps tot aban Tenor rd mente sis rc ertoc Domi eign a proposed prvi werd sry fone as Ses Tey wed imags al lead iy temas nay Seeing econ oo Economic and Social Changes |= The widespread popularity ofthe monotheistic mmovementof Kab, Nanal, Dhanna, Pipa ete can be explained fally ony inthe context of certain significant socio-economic changes inthe period flowing Triheonestaf Northern nda TheTunsh rng ls see Raps ved + Thecerasion fg grata ups ed to enormous conentatone sous inthe hands The demande of hs resoure ‘king cfr ansfatured pod ores 2nd other neces le ote iodo tmany ew ecg: ad as on ang see Ths in tae oth expansion fas stn artisans inthe 1 and Teena, The growing cases of utan ations were strated towards the monaicste never bese fi ealtrn des ethey moc Botetsed with helow atusacoded oon 2 tao rman hehe hasbeen pone out ht some oul vaders he Kats in the Paty who ered om the srovth of owns, uence Nayanars and Alvars © The Bhakti cult originated in "© These saints preached personal d as a means of salvation, They dist rigidities of the caste system an message of love and personal de Yhroughout south India. by languages. longtime.by Sadhna (butcher), besides carrying a great moral message to the world, WEISirabais Mirabal was the most notable ofall Bhakti reformsSUFISM The medi development of98 founded in India by Shaikh Suhravardis believed. [possessing and dispensing of weal