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Bhakti-Sufi Traditions
Question
A Church in Khambat
This is an excerpt from a farman (imperial order) issued by Akbar in 1598:
Whereas it reached our eminent and holy notice that the Padris (fathers) of the Holy Society of Jesus wish to build a house of prayer (church) in the city of Kambayat (Khambat, in Gujarat); therefore an exalted mandate... is being issued ,... that the dignitaries of the city of Kambayat should in no case stand in their way but should allow them to build a church so that they may engage themselves in their own worship. It is necessary that the order of the Emperor should be obeyed in every way. (CBSE Delhi 2008) Questions:
1. What did the Padris want to do?
2. How did Akbar ensure that their desire was fulfilled?
3. Who guided the Muslim rulers?
4. How was the situation complicated in the subcontinent and how did the rulers adapt to this situation?
Solution
1. The Padris (fathers) of the Holy Society of Jesus wished to build a house of prayer (church) in the city of Kambayat (Khambat) in Gujarat.
2. Akbar issued an exalted mandate to his officials. He ordered that the dignitaries of the city of Kambayat should in no case stand in their way. They should be allowed to build a church so that they might engage themselves in their own worship. It was made necessary that the order of the emperor should be obeyed in every way.
3. Theoretically, Muslim rulers were to be guided by the ulama, who were expected to ensure that they ruled according to the Sharia.
4. The situation was complicated in the subcontinent, where there were populations that did not subscribe to Islam. It is in this context that the category of the zimmi, meaning protected (derived from the Arabic word zimma (protection) developed for peoples who followed revealed scriptures, such as the Jews and Christians and lived under Muslim rulership. In India this status was extended to Hindus as well. The Mughals came to regard themselves as emperors of not just Muslims but of all peoples.
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Some More Questions From Bhakti-Sufi Traditions Chapter
Examine how and why rulers tried to establish connections with the traditions of the Nayanars and the Sufis.
Analyse, with illustrations, why Bhaktland Sufi thinkers adopted a variety of languages in which to express their opinions.
Read any five of the sources included in this chapter and discuss the social and religious ideas that are expressed in them.
On an outline map of India, plot three major sufi shrines, and three places associated with temples (one each of a form of Vishnu, Shiva and the goddess).
Choose any two of the religious teachers/thinkers/saints mentioned in this chapter, and find out more about their lives and teachings. Prepare a report
about the area and the times in which they lived their major ideas, how we know about them, and why you think they are important.
Find out more about practices of pilgrimage associated with the shrines mentioned in this chapter. Are these pilgrimages still undertaken? When are these shrines visited? Who visits these shrines? Why do they do so? What are the activities associated with these pilgrimages?
Mention the two earliest Bhakti Movements of Tamil Nadu, giving the main difference between them.
Mention two features of the protest movement started by Nayanars and Alvars.
Who led a new religious movement in Karnataka? What were his followers known as?
Give the meaning of Zimina. Who were Zimmis?
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