UPSC Prelims 2001 Q67: Medieval History – Bhakti Movement
Match List I with List II
and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:
List I (Bhakti Saint)
I. Namdev
II. Kabir
III. Ravidas
IV. Sena
List II (Profession)
A) Barber
B) Weaver
C) Tailor
D) Cobbler
- (a) I - B, II - C, III - A, IV - D
- (b) I - C, II - B, III - D, IV - A
- (c) I - C, II - B, III - A, IV - D
- (d) I - B, II - C, III - D, IV - A
Answer: (b) I - C, II - B, III - D, IV - A
Explanation
Matching Bhakti saints with their professions
| Bhakti saint (List I) | Profession (List II) |
|---|---|
| I. Namdev | C. Tailor (Maharashtra) |
| II. Kabir | B. Weaver (Varanasi) |
| III. Ravidas (Raidas) | D. Cobbler (leather worker) |
| IV. Sena (Sain) | A. Barber |
Many Bhakti saints came from working castes. Namdev was a tailor, Kabir a weaver, Ravidas a cobbler and Sena a barber. Their verses appear in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Answer: (b) I - C, II - B, III - D, IV - A.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Namdev was a tailor and Kabir a weaver, not the reverse.
- (b) CORRECT. Namdev–tailor, Kabir–weaver, Ravidas–cobbler, Sena–barber.
- (c) Incorrect. Ravidas was a cobbler and Sena a barber, not the reverse.
- (d) Incorrect. Namdev and Kabir are swapped.
Key point
Other saint-professions: Dadu Dayal — cotton carder; Sadhna — butcher; Dhanna — Jat peasant.
Remember
Namdev tailor, Kabir weaver, Ravidas cobbler, Sena barber.
Common mistakes
- Swapping Namdev (tailor) and Kabir (weaver).
- Swapping Ravidas (cobbler) and Sena (barber).
- Not recalling that Kabir was a julaha (weaver).
Exam tip
Kabir the weaver is the surest pair; start there.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII — Themes in Indian History Part II, chapter 'Bhakti-Sufi Traditions'
- Satish Chandra — Medieval India, chapter on the Bhakti movement