UPSC Prelims 2012 Q69: Medieval History – Sufism
With reference to the religious history of medieval India, the Sufi mystics were known to
pursue which of the following practices?
1. Meditation and control of breath
2. Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place
3. Recitation of holy songs to arouse a state of ecstasy in their audience
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Practices of the Sufi mystics
| Practice | Followed by Sufis? | Sufi term |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Meditation and control of breath | Yes | Zikr (remembering God) with breath control; some orders learnt it from the yogis |
| 2. Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place | Yes | Chilla, a forty-day retreat with fasting |
| 3. Recitation of holy songs to arouse a state of ecstasy in their audience | Yes | Sama; it gave rise to qawwali |
Sufism in India:
| Order (silsila) | Founder in India | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Chishti | Moinuddin Chishti (Ajmer) | Loved sama; kept away from the court |
| Suhrawardi | Bahauddin Zakariya (Multan) | Accepted State service and wealth |
| Qadiri | Popular under the Mughals | Dara Shikoh followed it |
| Naqshbandi | Baqi Billah | Orthodox; opposed sama |
Key words: pir (teacher), murid (disciple), khanqah (hospice).
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 3 is also true; holy songs (sama) were a Sufi practice.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 1 is also true; Sufis practised meditation and control of breath.
- (c) Incorrect. Statements 1 and 2 are also true: breath control and ascetic exercises.
- (d) CORRECT. Sufis practised meditation, ascetic exercises and holy songs for ecstasy.
Key point
Sufi practices: zikr (remembrance, with breath control), chilla (forty-day retreat), sama (devotional music, qawwali); pir, murid, khanqah; Chishti, Suhrawardi, Qadiri, Naqshbandi orders.
Remember
Zikr, chilla, sama: the three Sufi practices.
Common mistakes
- Thinking breath control belongs only to yoga; Sufis adopted it.
- Assuming all orders accepted music; the Naqshbandis opposed it.
- Forgetting the chilla, the lonely forty-day retreat.
Exam tip
Sufism borrowed freely from Indian traditions. When all practices sound mystical, all are likely true.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII — Themes in Indian History Part II, Ch 6 (Bhakti-Sufi Traditions)
- Satish Chandra — History of Medieval India, Ch on Cultural and Religious Developments