Bhakti and Sufi movement during the Mughal period in India.
During the 16th and 17th centuries India witnessed a remarkable progress in the field of culture and religion. Most of the Mughal emperors did not adopt narrow religious policy. The Mughal rulers, on the other-side, were liberal and tolerant to other religions. As a result of this a number of religions like Hinduism, Islam, Sikh, Buddhism, Jain and other religions flourished and developed during Mughal rule. However, Islam continued to be the religion of the state.
During 16th and 17th century there developed important changes in the field of Hindu religion. Consequently, there occured Bhakti Movement in India.
Bhakti Movement:
Bhakti Movement was the most notable feature of the Hindu religion. During the Mughal period there occured a strong Bhakti Movement in different parts of India.
Following important Bhakti saints played significant role in the Bhakti movement.
Eknath : Eknath was the most important saint of the west India. He took initiative role in spreading Bhakti movement in Maharashtra and created a feeling of unity among various classes of society. He laid great importance to Kirtana and exercised deep influence on the people of all the classes.
Tukaram : Tukaram was another prominent Bhakti saint of Maharashtra. He was born in 1608 and passed away in 1649. During his life he preached that God can be attained only by devoted love and not through any other means. In the beginning saint Tukaram was opposed by the conservative Brahmanas and there developed hostility between them. But gradually the conflict ceased and some Brahmins like Rameshwar Bhatt, Kachesvar Khandoba, Gangaram Mavala Kaduskar etc. became the staunch supporter of saint Tukaram.
Dadu : Dadu was an important saints who lived during the end of Akbar's rule. He founded a new sect of Rama worshippers. He spread the spirit of Bhakti cult among the people and inspired the people to worship Lord Rama. Thus the worship of Lord Rama became much prevalent among a large section of people in India.
Ramdas: Ramdas was a very prominent Bhakti saint who was born in 1608 and passed away in 1681. He founded a powerful sect of Rama worshippers and created a strong spirit among the people to worship Lord Rama. He moved from place to place and preached the Bhakti cult in Maharashtra. Swami Ramdas set-up eleven hundred Maths (Monasteries) where people used to discuss the religious principles. Shivaji, who was a founder of Hindu Rashtra, became an important disciple of Swami Ramdas. In addition to it, Swami Ramdas contributed a lot in the construction and maintenance of Maths and temples.
Shaivism and Vaishnavism : During the Mughal rule Hinduism came to be divided into various sects such as Shaivism and Vaishnavism etc. Again, the followers of Vaishnavism came to be divided into two main branches such as Rama cult and Krishna cult. Chaitanya, Vallabhacharya, Swami Hari Das and Mira Bhai were important saints of Krishna cult. Tulsidas : He was the most famous Bhakti saint of Lord Rama. He was a great poet and composed the Ramcharitmanas in Devanagari script for clear understanding among the common and innocent masses. He was the most popular poet, social reformer, Bhakti saint and religious reformer of north India. He spread the name of Lord Rama in each and every household of the Hindu cult.
Guru Nanak : Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism. This religion rose, mainly as a sharp reaction againt the oppressive treatment of the Muslims during the Mughal rule. This religion was started and spread by a very important Bhakti saint called Guru Nanak Dev. He believed in the equality of all men with a He laid stress on five principles such as: view to create harmony and co-operation among all the people without distinction of caste, creed or religion and organised Langar or community dinner.
A) Name or singing the praise of God.
B) Dan or charity for all.
C)Asnan or daily bath.
D) Seva or service of humanity and
E) Simran or constant remembrance of God.
He created a spirit among the people for hard labour and condemned casteism and laid stress for equal status of women. Consequently, the Bhakti movement spread throughout Punjab.
Sufi Movement:
Important Sufi saints : The important Sufi saints were Sheikh Salim Chishti, Sheikh Abdul Kadir, Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi, Sheikh Wali Ullah etc. The Sufi saints were very liberal and believed in simple living and high thinking. They lived in family with wife and children but did not demand anything from anybody. They led poor life and preached the essence of love and humanism. In fact, the Sufi saints played an important role in creating harmony and brotherhood between the Hindus and the Muslims. The other famous sects of Sufism were Suhrawardi, Kadiri and Naqshbandi who were also very liberal and humanistic. These saints tried to create unity and fraternity among the rival cultures and communities for the welfare of all.
Other religious movements : In addition to above there emerged Bhakti movement in Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity and other religious communities. The main object of all the religious and Bhakti movement was to create harmony, love, co-operation and fraternity among all the people of this land. As a result of this people became liberal, religious and humanist.
