The Bhakti Movement brought religious reform to Hinduism during the medieval period.

Question

State whether the following statements are True or False with reasons.

The Bhakti Movement brought religious reform to Hinduism during the medieval period.

Answer 1

This statement is True.

The Bhakti Movement rejected the caste system. It criticized excessive ritualism and advocated simplicity in worship. It professed that all human beings were equal in the eyes of God. The focus was on devotional singing and the repetition of his name.

Sufism also preached the unity of humanity and believed in the equality of all human beings in the eyes of God. Some important exponents of this are Kabir, Rahim, and Guru Nanak. Kabir and Rahim denounced external observances of religion such as rituals, superstitious practices, idolatry. Guru Nanak decried the caste system, ritualism, and idol worship.

Bhakti Movement in Maharashtra began in the 13th century CE with Dnyaneshwar. Namdev was his contemporary who criticized fasts, pilgrimages, and all other external forms of religious practices.