CAPF AC 2020 Q90: Medieval History – Bhakti Movement
Tulsidas was the author of
1. Ramcharitmanas
2. Padavali
3. Kavitavali
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1, 2 and 3
- (d) 1 and 3 only
Answer: (d) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
Works of Tulsidas
How to think: Ramcharitmanas is certain, so the answer has 1 in it.
That removes (b).
Then ask about Padavali: it is the famous work of Vidyapati, not Tulsidas.
| Work | Author | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ramcharitmanas | Tulsidas, in Awadhi | Correct |
| 2. Padavali | Vidyapati, in Maithili | Not by Tulsidas |
| 3. Kavitavali | Tulsidas, in Braj Bhasha | Correct |
Main works of Tulsidas:
| Work | Note |
|---|---|
| Ramcharitmanas | Story of Rama in Awadhi |
| Kavitavali | Verses on Rama in Braj Bhasha |
| Gitavali | Songs on the life of Rama |
| Vinaya Patrika | Hymns of prayer |
| Dohavali | Collection of couplets |
Tulsidas lived in the time of Akbar and belonged to the Rama bhakti stream.
Answer: (d) 1 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Kavitavali is also a work of Tulsidas.
- (b) Incorrect. It leaves out Ramcharitmanas, his best known work.
- (c) Incorrect. Padavali is linked with Vidyapati, not Tulsidas.
- (d) CORRECT. Tulsidas wrote Ramcharitmanas and Kavitavali.
Key point
Tulsidas: Ramcharitmanas (Awadhi), Kavitavali, Gitavali, Vinaya Patrika, Dohavali. Padavali is Vidyapati's (Maithili).
Remember
Tulsidas: Ramcharitmanas and Kavitavali. Padavali: Vidyapati.
Common mistakes
- Giving Padavali to Tulsidas because the name sounds like Kavitavali and Gitavali.
- Saying Ramcharitmanas is in Sanskrit; it is in Awadhi.
- Mixing up Tulsidas (Rama bhakti) with Surdas (Krishna bhakti, Sursagar).
Exam tip
Educated guess: Ramcharitmanas must be in the answer, so (b) goes. Then one doubt, Padavali, decides between the rest.
Sources
- NCERT Class VII History — Our Pasts II (Devotional Paths to the Divine)
- NCERT Class XII History — Themes in Indian History Part II (Bhakti-Sufi Traditions)