UPSC Prelims 2013 Q52: Medieval History – Bhakti Movement
Consider the following Bhakti Saints :
1. Dadu Dayal
2. Guru Nanak
3. Tyagaraja Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur
took over?
- (a) 1 and 3
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 1 and 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation
Bhakti saints at the time of Babur's conquest
Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.
| Saint | Lifetime | Preaching in 1526? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Dadu Dayal | 1544 to 1603 | No; born after 1526 |
| 2. Guru Nanak | 1469 to 1539 | Yes |
| 3. Tyagaraja | 1767 to 1847 | No; lived in the 18th and 19th centuries |
About each saint:
| Saint | Note |
|---|---|
| Guru Nanak | Founder of Sikhism; his Babarvani verses describe Babur's invasion |
| Dadu Dayal | Nirguna saint of Rajasthan; founder of the Dadu Panth |
| Tyagaraja | One of the Trinity of Carnatic music; composed in Telugu to Lord Rama |
Answer: (b) 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Dadu Dayal was born in 1544 and Tyagaraja in 1767.
- (b) CORRECT. Only Guru Nanak was preaching when Babur took over in 1526.
- (c) Incorrect. Tyagaraja lived more than two centuries later.
- (d) Incorrect. Dadu Dayal was born after the Lodi dynasty fell.
Key point
Guru Nanak (1469-1539) was a contemporary of Babur (Babarvani). Dadu Dayal (1544-1603) and Tyagaraja (1767-1847) came later.
Remember
Guru Nanak saw Babur's invasion (1526).
Common mistakes
- Placing Tyagaraja in the medieval period.
- Not knowing Dadu Dayal's dates.
- Forgetting that Guru Nanak wrote about Babur's invasion.
Exam tip
Anchor date: 1526. Only someone alive and adult then qualifies.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII — Themes in Indian History Part II, Ch 6 (Bhakti-Sufi Traditions)
- Satish Chandra — History of Medieval India (Religious Movements)