UPSC Prelims 2019 Q13: Medieval History – Bhakti Movement
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Bhakti Saints: Timeline Check
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar | FALSE | Nimbarka lived c. 12th-13th century CE, founder of the Dvaitadvaita (Bhedabheda) school. Akbar reigned 1556-1605 - about three centuries later. Not contemporaries. |
| 2 | Saint Kabir was influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi | FALSE | Kabir lived c. 1440-1518 CE. Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi lived c. 1564-1624 CE (Mughal-era Naqshbandi Sufi). Kabir DIED before Sirhindi was born - so Kabir cannot have been influenced by Sirhindi. Timeline reversed. |
Both statements are chronologically impossible. Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2.
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Nimbarka lived in the 12th-13th century, long before Akbar.
- (b) Incorrect. Kabir (d. 1518) died before Sirhindi (b. 1564) was born - influence chronologically impossible.
- (c) Incorrect. Both statements are chronologically wrong.
- (d) CORRECT. Neither statement is true - Nimbarka predates Akbar by centuries, and Kabir predates Sirhindi.
Key point
Nimbarka = 12th-13th c. Vaishnava (Dvaitadvaita), pre-Akbar. Kabir (d. 1518) predates Sirhindi (b. 1564) - reverse influence impossible.
Remember
Both statements are wrong. Nimbarka (12th-13th century Vaishnava acharya) was NOT a contemporary of Akbar (1556-1605). And Kabir (d. 1518) died BEFORE Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1564-1624) was born, so Kabir cannot have been influenced by Sirhindi.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Nimbarka with Vallabhacharya (1479-1531, Pushtimarg) - Vallabhacharya was closer to (but still before) Akbar.
- Assuming Kabir was influenced by Sufism generally, so any Sufi will do - Sirhindi came LATER and represented orthodox reaction, not the syncretic Sufism Kabir absorbed.
- Not knowing Sirhindi (1564-1624) was a Mughal-era Naqshbandi reformer who opposed Akbar's Din-i-Ilahi and stressed orthodox Islam.
Exam tip
Bhakti timeline anchors: Ramanuja (11th-12th c.), Nimbarka (12th-13th c.), Madhva (13th c.), Ramananda (14th-15th c.), Kabir (~1440-1518), Nanak (1469-1539), Chaitanya (1486-1534), Vallabhacharya (1479-1531), Tulsidas (1532-1623), Meera (~1498-1547), Surdas (~1478-1583).
Sources
- NCERT Class 12 - Themes in Indian History Part II (Bhakti-Sufi Traditions)
- Satish Chandra - Medieval India Part II