1. The Bhakti Movement in India originated in?
A) North India
B) South India (Tamil region)
C) Bengal
D) Delhi
Answer: B) South India (Tamil region)
Explanation: The earliest Bhakti saints were Alvars (Vaishnavas) and Nayanars (Shaivas) in Tamil Nadu (7th–9th century).
2. The Alvars were devotees of?
A) Shiva
B) Vishnu
C) Shakti
D) Buddha
Answer: B) Vishnu
Explanation: Alvar saints composed Tamil devotional hymns to Vishnu.
3. The Nayanars were devotees of?
A) Vishnu
B) Shiva
C) Surya
D) Ganesha
Answer: B) Shiva
Explanation: Nayanar saints sang in praise of Lord Shiva.
4. The collection of Alvar hymns is known as?
A) Tevaram
B) Tiruvaymoli
C) Vachanas
D) Guru Granth Sahib
Answer: B) Tiruvaymoli
Explanation: It was composed by Alvar saint Nammalvar in Tamil.
5. The Nayanar hymns are compiled in?
A) Tevaram
B) Bhagavata Purana
C) Tiruvaymoli
D) Upanishads
Answer: A) Tevaram
Explanation: Tevaram hymns are in Tamil, sung by Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar.
6. Which Bhakti saint gave the Advaita (non-dualism) philosophy?
A) Shankaracharya
B) Ramanuja
C) Madhvacharya
D) Vallabhacharya
Answer: A) Shankaracharya
Explanation: Shankaracharya (8th century) propagated Advaita Vedanta (oneness of Brahman).
7. The Bhakti philosophy of Ramanuja is called?
A) Advaita (non-dualism)
B) Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism)
C) Dvaita (dualism)
D) Achintya Bheda Abheda
Answer: B) Vishishtadvaita
Explanation: Ramanuja emphasized devotion to Vishnu and personal God.
8. The Bhakti saint Basavanna (12th century) was associated with?
A) Shaivism (Virashaiva / Lingayat movement)
B) Vaishnavism
C) Jainism
D) Buddhism
Answer: A) Shaivism (Virashaiva / Lingayat movement)
Explanation: He rejected caste and rituals, preached devotion to Shiva through Vachanas.
9. Which Bhakti philosopher propounded Dvaita (dualism)?
A) Shankaracharya
B) Madhvacharya
C) Ramanuja
D) Vallabhacharya
Answer: B) Madhvacharya
Explanation: He taught strict distinction between God (Vishnu) and soul.
10. The Lingayat movement founded by Basavanna opposed?
A) Idol worship
B) Caste system and Brahmin dominance
C) Devotion to Shiva
D) Use of vernacular language
Answer: B) Caste system and Brahmin dominance
Explanation: Lingayats rejected caste barriers and emphasized equality.
11. Andal, an important Alvar saint, is remembered for?
A) Devotional hymns to Krishna
B) Writings on Advaita
C) Founding Lingayat sect
D) Translating Vedas
Answer: A) Devotional hymns to Krishna
Explanation: Andal composed Tiruppavai in Tamil.
12. Which Bhakti saint was also a famous social reformer and Vachana writer in Kannada?
A) Madhvacharya
B) Basavanna
C) Allama Prabhu
D) Both B and C
Answer: D) Both B and C
Explanation: Basavanna and Allama Prabhu led the Virashaiva/Lingayat movement.
13. The Bhakti saints in the Deccan and South used which language for preaching?
A) Sanskrit
B) Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Marathi
C) Persian
D) Prakrit
Answer: B) Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Marathi
Explanation: They used vernacular languages to reach common people.
14. Who composed the Tamil text Periyapuranam (hagiography of 63 Nayanars)?
A) Sekkizhar
B) Appar
C) Sundarar
D) Nammalvar
Answer: A) Sekkizhar
Explanation: He compiled the life stories of Shaiva saints.
15. The Virashaiva movement was strongest in?
A) Tamil Nadu
B) Karnataka
C) Kerala
D) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: B) Karnataka
Explanation: Led by Basavanna in 12th century, it spread Lingayatism.
16. Which Bhakti saint criticized temple rituals and caste but worshiped Vishnu?
A) Ramanuja
B) Madhvacharya
C) Nammalvar
D) Kabir
Answer: C) Nammalvar
Explanation: He composed devotional Tamil hymns, stressing personal devotion.
17. The early Bhakti saints rejected?
A) Sanskrit-only scriptures
B) Brahmanical orthodoxy
C) Idol rituals and caste
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: They made devotion accessible to all, using local languages.
18. Which Bhakti saint’s followers are called Haridasas?
A) Ramanuja
B) Madhvacharya
C) Basavanna
D) Purandara Dasa
Answer: D) Purandara Dasa
Explanation: He is considered the father of Carnatic music and Haridasa tradition.
19. The Bhakti movement in Maharashtra was led by saints like?
A) Eknath, Tukaram, Namdev
B) Andal, Nammalvar
C) Kabir, Nanak
D) Tulsidas, Surdas
Answer: A) Eknath, Tukaram, Namdev
Explanation: The Varkari saints spread Bhakti through Marathi Abhangas.
20. The famous Marathi saint who composed Abhangas was?
A) Tukaram
B) Namdev
C) Eknath
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: All three wrote Abhangas in Marathi, stressing devotion to Vithoba.
21. Sant Namdev (1270–1350) preached in?
A) Marathi and Hindi
B) Persian
C) Sanskrit
D) Tamil
Answer: A) Marathi and Hindi
Explanation: His hymns are also included in Guru Granth Sahib.
22. Sant Jnaneshwar (13th century) wrote the Marathi commentary on Bhagavad Gita called?
A) Abhanga
B) Jnaneshwari
C) Amuktamalyada
D) Tiruvaymoli
Answer: B) Jnaneshwari
Explanation: It is a classic of Marathi Bhakti literature.
23. Which Bhakti saint is called the “Pitamaha (Grandfather) of Carnatic Music”?
A) Tyagaraja
B) Purandara Dasa
C) Kanakadasa
D) Basavanna
Answer: B) Purandara Dasa
Explanation: He systematized Carnatic music.
24. Which Bhakti saint was a contemporary of Vijayanagara rulers and composed Kannada devotional songs?
A) Purandara Dasa
B) Kanakadasa
C) Basavanna
D) Ramanuja
Answer: B) Kanakadasa
Explanation: He wrote in Kannada, spreading Bhakti among lower castes.
25. The central theme of early Bhakti saints of South India was?
A) Renunciation of life
B) Devotion to personal God (Shiva or Vishnu) accessible to all castes
C) Revival of Sanskrit learning
D) Spread of Islamic mysticism
Answer: B) Devotion to personal God (Shiva or Vishnu) accessible to all castes
Explanation: They stressed bhakti (devotion) over rituals or caste barriers.
26. The Bhakti movement in North India was greatly popularized during?
A) 6th–8th centuries
B) 12th–17th centuries
C) Maurya period
D) Gupta period
Answer: B) 12th–17th centuries
Explanation: Saints like Kabir, Nanak, Tulsidas, Mirabai, Surdas flourished in this period.
27. Kabir, a prominent Bhakti saint, was a disciple of?
A) Guru Nanak
B) Ramananda
C) Vallabhacharya
D) Nizamuddin Auliya
Answer: B) Ramananda
Explanation: Ramananda accepted disciples from all castes; Kabir was among them.
28. The central teaching of Kabir was?
A) Idol worship
B) Devotion to Rama and Krishna only
C) Nirguna Bhakti – devotion to formless God
D) Ritual fasting
Answer: C) Nirguna Bhakti – devotion to formless God
Explanation: Kabir rejected rituals and stressed inner devotion.
29. Kabir’s verses are compiled in?
A) Bijak
B) Jnaneshwari
C) Abhanga
D) Tiruvaymoli
Answer: A) Bijak
Explanation: His poetry in Hindi dialects forms the Bijak.
30. Guru Nanak (1469–1539), founder of Sikhism, emphasized?
A) Idol worship
B) Rituals
C) Nirguna Bhakti and equality of all
D) Priesthood
Answer: C) Nirguna Bhakti and equality of all
Explanation: He stressed devotion to one God, service, and equality.
31. Guru Nanak’s hymns are compiled in?
A) Adi Granth / Guru Granth Sahib
B) Bijak
C) Ramcharitmanas
D) Abhangas
Answer: A) Adi Granth / Guru Granth Sahib
Explanation: Compiled by Guru Arjan, it contains Nanak’s hymns and others.
32. Guru Nanak’s followers are known as?
A) Sikhs (disciples)
B) Lingayats
C) Alvars
D) Varkaris
Answer: A) Sikhs
Explanation: Sikh means disciple; they followed Guru Nanak’s teachings.
33. The Bhakti saint Vallabhacharya propagated which philosophy?
A) Advaita
B) Vishishtadvaita
C) Shuddhadvaita (pure non-dualism)
D) Dvaita
Answer: C) Shuddhadvaita
Explanation: Vallabhacharya emphasized pure devotion to Krishna.
34. Vallabhacharya’s sect is popularly known as?
A) Pushti Marg (path of grace)
B) Nirguna Marg
C) Lingayatism
D) Satnami sect
Answer: A) Pushti Marg
Explanation: His followers worshipped Krishna, especially as child deity.
35. The Bhakti saint Surdas is famous for?
A) Writings on Shiva
B) Hindi devotional songs on Krishna
C) Persian poetry
D) Tamil hymns
Answer: B) Hindi devotional songs on Krishna
Explanation: Surdas wrote Sursagar, dedicated to Lord Krishna.
36. Surdas was associated with which Bhakti tradition?
A) Shaiva Bhakti
B) Vallabhacharya’s Krishna devotion
C) Kabirpanthi sect
D) Sikhism
Answer: B) Vallabhacharya’s Krishna devotion
Explanation: He was a disciple of Vallabhacharya, focusing on Krishna bhakti.
37. Tulsidas, the great Bhakti poet, wrote?
A) Tiruvaymoli
B) Ramcharitmanas
C) Abhanga
D) Jnaneshwari
Answer: B) Ramcharitmanas
Explanation: A Hindi retelling of the Ramayana, hugely influential.
38. Tulsidas’s philosophy was based on devotion to?
A) Krishna
B) Rama
C) Shiva
D) Vishnu in general
Answer: B) Rama
Explanation: He spread Rama-bhakti in North India.
39. Mirabai, a Rajput princess of Mewar, devoted herself to?
A) Rama
B) Vishnu
C) Krishna
D) Shiva
Answer: C) Krishna
Explanation: She composed devotional bhajans to Krishna, rejecting worldly life.
40. Mirabai was contemporary of which Mughal ruler?
A) Babur
B) Humayun
C) Akbar
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: C) Akbar
Explanation: She lived during 16th century when Akbar ruled.
41. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu of Bengal was a great devotee of?
A) Rama
B) Krishna (Radha–Krishna bhakti)
C) Shiva
D) Shakti
Answer: B) Krishna
Explanation: He spread ecstatic devotion (sankirtan) to Radha–Krishna.
42. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s followers are associated with which modern sect?
A) Lingayats
B) ISKCON (Gaudiya Vaishnavism)
C) Kabir Panth
D) Satnami sect
Answer: B) ISKCON
Explanation: International Society for Krishna Consciousness follows Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
43. Which Bhakti saint’s philosophy is called Achintya Bheda Abheda (inconceivable oneness and difference)?
A) Kabir
B) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
C) Vallabhacharya
D) Surdas
Answer: B) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Explanation: He taught Krishna is simultaneously one with and different from creation.
44. The Bhakti saint Dadu Dayal (1544–1603) founded which sect?
A) Pushti Marg
B) Dadupanth
C) Kabir Panth
D) Satnami sect
Answer: B) Dadupanth
Explanation: He emphasized nirguna bhakti and equality.
45. Ravidas, a Bhakti saint, belonged to which community?
A) Brahmin
B) Cobbler (low caste)
C) Rajput
D) Merchant
Answer: B) Cobbler
Explanation: His teachings stressed equality, dignity of labor, and devotion.
46. Ravidas’s disciple who became a famous female saint was?
A) Mirabai
B) Andal
C) Akkamahadevi
D) Sahjo Bai
Answer: A) Mirabai
Explanation: Tradition holds Ravidas as Mirabai’s guru.
47. The Bhakti saint who founded the Satnami sect in 17th century was?
A) Kabir
B) Guru Nanak
C) Birbhan
D) Vallabhacharya
Answer: C) Birbhan
Explanation: The Satnami sect in Haryana emphasized monotheism and social equality.
48. The Bhakti saint who was a contemporary of Akbar and composed hymns in Awadhi was?
A) Kabir
B) Tulsidas
C) Surdas
D) Ravidas
Answer: B) Tulsidas
Explanation: He lived in 16th century during Akbar’s rule.
49. Which Bhakti saint’s compositions are included in the Guru Granth Sahib apart from Sikh Gurus?
A) Kabir, Namdev, Ravidas
B) Tulsidas, Surdas, Mirabai
C) Chaitanya, Vallabhacharya
D) Basavanna, Allama Prabhu
Answer: A) Kabir, Namdev, Ravidas
Explanation: Their hymns form an important part of Sikh scripture.
50. The common teaching of Bhakti saints like Kabir, Nanak, Ravidas was?
A) Nirguna bhakti, equality, rejection of caste and rituals
B) Idol worship in temples
C) Support of Brahmanical orthodoxy
D) Promotion of Sanskrit alone
Answer: A) Nirguna bhakti, equality, rejection of caste and rituals
Explanation: They stressed devotion to one God beyond rituals and caste.
51. The central teaching of the Bhakti saints was?
A) Devotion (bhakti) to a personal God
B) Accumulation of wealth
C) Strict rituals and sacrifices
D) Worship of priests
Answer: A) Devotion (bhakti) to a personal God
Explanation: They emphasized direct devotion, bypassing ritualistic practices.
52. The Bhakti saints opposed?
A) Caste distinctions
B) Idol worship (especially Nirguna saints)
C) Ritualism and priestly dominance
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: They sought a more personal, equal, and simplified spiritual path.
53. The two broad streams of Bhakti were?
A) Shaiva and Vaishnava
B) Nirguna (formless God) and Saguna (with form)
C) North Indian and South Indian
D) Shankara and Ramanuja schools
Answer: B) Nirguna and Saguna
Explanation: Nirguna stressed devotion to formless God (Kabir, Nanak); Saguna emphasized worship of Rama/Krishna (Tulsidas, Mirabai).
54. The Nirguna Bhakti saints included?
A) Kabir, Guru Nanak, Ravidas
B) Tulsidas, Surdas, Vallabhacharya
C) Andal, Nayanars
D) Chaitanya, Mirabai
Answer: A) Kabir, Guru Nanak, Ravidas
Explanation: They rejected idol worship and rituals.
55. The Saguna Bhakti saints included?
A) Kabir and Nanak
B) Tulsidas, Surdas, Mirabai, Chaitanya
C) Basavanna and Allama Prabhu
D) Namdev and Ravidas
Answer: B) Tulsidas, Surdas, Mirabai, Chaitanya
Explanation: They promoted devotion to God with attributes (Rama, Krishna).
56. The common theme in both Bhakti and Sufi movements was?
A) Caste hierarchy
B) Ritualism
C) Unity of God, love, and devotion
D) Idol worship
Answer: C) Unity of God, love, and devotion
Explanation: Both stressed inner devotion over outward rituals.
57. Which feature of Sufism most closely resembled Bhakti movement?
A) Sama (devotional music)
B) Pir–Murid relationship
C) Fana (annihilation in God)
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: Bhakti and Sufi shared spiritual practices and devotional similarities.
58. Bhakti saints used which medium to spread their message?
A) Sanskrit texts
B) Vernacular languages and folk songs
C) Persian only
D) Latin
Answer: B) Vernacular languages and folk songs
Explanation: This made their teachings accessible to the masses.
59. The Bhakti movement helped in the development of which languages?
A) Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada, Tamil
B) Only Sanskrit
C) Only Persian
D) English
Answer: A) Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada, Tamil
Explanation: Saints wrote in local languages, enriching literature.
60. The Bhakti movement contributed most to?
A) Political unity of India
B) Social equality and harmony
C) British rise
D) Decline of Mughal empire
Answer: B) Social equality and harmony
Explanation: It bridged caste, class, and religious divides.
61. Which of the following was a major social impact of the Bhakti movement?
A) Decline of caste hierarchy
B) Upliftment of lower classes and women
C) Reducing communal tension
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: It challenged orthodox practices and promoted inclusiveness.
62. The Bhakti saints emphasized direct contact with God through?
A) Priests and rituals
B) Meditation, devotion, and love
C) Warfare
D) Astrology
Answer: B) Meditation, devotion, and love
Explanation: They bypassed priestly mediation.
63. The Bhakti movement rejected the supremacy of?
A) Priesthood (Brahmins)
B) State authority
C) Agriculture
D) Foreign traders
Answer: A) Priesthood (Brahmins)
Explanation: Saints questioned the monopoly of Brahmins in religion.
64. In Bengal, the Bhakti movement took the form of?
A) Vaishnava movement under Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
B) Shaivism
C) Lingayatism
D) Kabir Panth
Answer: A) Vaishnava movement under Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Explanation: His ecstatic devotion attracted thousands in Bengal.
65. In Maharashtra, Bhakti saints like Namdev and Tukaram spread devotion to?
A) Shiva
B) Vithoba (a form of Krishna)
C) Rama
D) Ganesha
Answer: B) Vithoba
Explanation: The Varkari movement centered around Pandharpur temple.
66. The Bhakti saints’ rejection of caste and rituals brought them close to?
A) Brahmanical orthodoxy
B) Sufi saints
C) Buddhist monks
D) Jain ascetics
Answer: B) Sufi saints
Explanation: Both emphasized equality and simplicity.
67. The interaction between Bhakti and Sufi movements gave rise to?
A) Urdu language and Hindustani music
B) Decline of temples
C) Western culture
D) Sikhism
Answer: A) Urdu language and Hindustani music
Explanation: Cultural fusion created rich traditions of art and literature.
68. Which Bhakti saint’s verses are part of Sikh scripture, Guru Granth Sahib?
A) Kabir, Namdev, Ravidas
B) Tulsidas, Surdas
C) Chaitanya, Vallabhacharya
D) Basavanna, Purandara Dasa
Answer: A) Kabir, Namdev, Ravidas
Explanation: Their hymns are revered in Sikhism.
69. The main difference between Bhakti and Sufi saints was?
A) Bhakti rooted in Hinduism, Sufi in Islam
B) Bhakti used Sanskrit only, Sufi used Persian only
C) Bhakti supported caste, Sufi opposed it
D) No differences
Answer: A) Bhakti rooted in Hinduism, Sufi in Islam
Explanation: But both movements converged on spirituality and equality.
70. The Bhakti movement in Assam was led by?
A) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
B) Srimanta Sankardev
C) Kabir
D) Surdas
Answer: B) Srimanta Sankardev
Explanation: He spread Vaishnavism through Assamese literature and dance (Sattriya).
71. The Bhakti saint who composed Harichandra Kavya and enriched Assamese culture was?
A) Srimanta Sankardev
B) Madhavdev
C) Kabir
D) Tulsidas
Answer: B) Madhavdev
Explanation: Disciple of Sankardev, he spread Neo-Vaishnavism in Assam.
72. In Kashmir, the Bhakti-like movement was represented by?
A) Andal
B) Lalleshwari (Lal Ded)
C) Mirabai
D) Akkamahadevi
Answer: B) Lalleshwari (Lal Ded)
Explanation: She preached mystical devotion through Kashmiri vakhs (verses).
73. In Gujarat, Bhakti saints like Narsinh Mehta emphasized devotion to?
A) Shiva
B) Krishna
C) Rama
D) Ganesha
Answer: B) Krishna
Explanation: He composed famous devotional songs in Gujarati.
74. The Bhakti movement helped in spreading which cultural aspect across India?
A) Persian architecture
B) Vernacular literature, music, temple culture, devotional poetry
C) Western science
D) Buddhism
Answer: B) Vernacular literature, music, temple culture, devotional poetry
Explanation: Bhakti integrated art and devotion into daily life.
75. The Bhakti movement’s popularity was due to?
A) Simplicity of message (love for God, equality)
B) Vernacular preaching
C) Social inclusiveness
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: Its universal appeal cut across caste, class, and religion.
76. The Bhakti movement’s greatest contribution was?
A) Strengthening priestly power
B) Promoting religious tolerance and social equality
C) Decline of vernacular literature
D) Rise of British power
Answer: B) Promoting religious tolerance and social equality
Explanation: It bridged Hindu–Muslim divides and fought caste barriers.
77. Which of the following was a major literary outcome of the Bhakti movement?
A) Growth of Persian literature
B) Growth of vernacular literature like Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada
C) Decline of Sanskrit entirely
D) Rise of English literature
Answer: B) Growth of vernacular literature
Explanation: Saints preached in local languages, enriching them.
78. The Bhakti movement encouraged the use of?
A) Persian
B) Vernacular/local languages
C) Greek
D) Latin
Answer: B) Vernacular/local languages
Explanation: To make teachings accessible to common people.
79. Which literary work is associated with Tulsidas?
A) Bijak
B) Ramcharitmanas
C) Abhanga
D) Jnaneshwari
Answer: B) Ramcharitmanas
Explanation: Tulsidas retold the Ramayana in Hindi (Awadhi).
80. Which Bhakti poet is credited as the father of Hindi literature?
A) Kabir
B) Tulsidas
C) Amir Khusrau
D) Surdas
Answer: D) Surdas
Explanation: His Sursagar established Hindi devotional poetry.
81. Which Bhakti saint used simple couplets (dohe) in Hindi to spread his message?
A) Surdas
B) Kabir
C) Nanak
D) Vallabhacharya
Answer: B) Kabir
Explanation: His dohas are popular even today.
82. Which of the following Bhakti saints was a woman?
A) Mirabai
B) Andal
C) Lalleshwari
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: All were female saints breaking gender barriers.
83. Bhakti saints rejected which practice as meaningless?
A) Ritual sacrifices and pilgrimages without devotion
B) Use of vernacular languages
C) Music in devotion
D) Composing poetry
Answer: A) Ritual sacrifices and pilgrimages without devotion
Explanation: They emphasized inner devotion instead.
84. The Bhakti movement weakened the rigidities of?
A) Jainism
B) Buddhism
C) Caste system within Hindu society
D) Western culture
Answer: C) Caste system
Explanation: Saints like Ravidas, Namdev challenged caste distinctions.
85. The philosophy of “God resides in everyone” was common to?
A) Kabir and Nanak
B) Surdas and Tulsidas
C) Andal and Nammalvar
D) Shankaracharya
Answer: A) Kabir and Nanak
Explanation: Both Nirguna Bhakti saints emphasized one universal God.
86. Which Bhakti saint is associated with the phrase “Ishwar Allah Tero Naam” (God and Allah are one)?
A) Kabir
B) Guru Nanak
C) Tulsidas
D) Mirabai
Answer: A) Kabir
Explanation: He emphasized Hindu–Muslim unity.
87. The Bhakti movement helped pave the way for which new religion?
A) Sikhism
B) Buddhism
C) Jainism
D) Christianity
Answer: A) Sikhism
Explanation: Sikhism synthesized Bhakti and Sufi ideas under Guru Nanak.
88. Which Mughal emperor respected Bhakti and Sufi saints and followed Sulh-i-Kul?
A) Babur
B) Humayun
C) Akbar
D) Aurangzeb
Answer: C) Akbar
Explanation: Akbar’s religious tolerance reflected Bhakti–Sufi influence.
89. The Bhakti movement is often seen as a precursor to?
A) Renaissance in India
B) Rise of regional cultures and composite traditions
C) British reforms
D) Industrial revolution
Answer: B) Rise of regional cultures and composite traditions
Explanation: It integrated music, poetry, and devotional traditions across communities.
90. The main criticism of Bhakti saints was?
A) Overemphasis on emotional devotion and neglect of rational philosophy
B) Rejecting Sanskrit
C) Opposing Sufism
D) Supporting caste
Answer: A) Overemphasis on emotional devotion
Explanation: Some scholars argue they lacked systematic philosophy.
91. Which Bhakti saint was known for promoting Radha–Krishna love as divine?
A) Surdas
B) Vallabhacharya
C) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: They enriched Krishna devotion through poetry and worship.
92. Which of the following was a major cultural impact of Bhakti movement?
A) Rise of Hindustani classical music (bhajans, kirtans, qawwalis)
B) Growth of temple architecture
C) Decline of Islam in India
D) Spread of English education
Answer: A) Rise of Hindustani classical music
Explanation: Bhakti poetry merged with music to create devotional traditions.
93. The Bhakti movement emphasized God as accessible to all, which weakened?
A) Political kingdoms
B) Religious orthodoxy
C) Agriculture
D) Trade
Answer: B) Religious orthodoxy
Explanation: Saints questioned authority of Brahmins and priests.
94. Which Bhakti saint’s work is considered the foundation of modern Hindi?
A) Surdas (Sursagar)
B) Tulsidas (Ramcharitmanas)
C) Kabir (Bijak)
D) Namdev (Abhangas)
Answer: B) Tulsidas (Ramcharitmanas)
Explanation: It standardized Awadhi Hindi as literary language.
95. Which saint was contemporary of Shivaji and inspired Maratha nationalism through Bhakti?
A) Eknath
B) Tukaram
C) Namdev
D) Jnaneshwar
Answer: B) Tukaram
Explanation: His Abhangas inspired devotion and self-respect among Marathas.
96. The Bhakti movement in Assam led to which classical dance form?
A) Sattriya
B) Manipuri
C) Kathakali
D) Kuchipudi
Answer: A) Sattriya
Explanation: Introduced by Sankardev as part of Vaishnavite culture.
97. The Bhakti saints’ common teaching can be summarized as?
A) One God, equality, devotion over rituals
B) Idol worship and caste rigidity
C) Persian dominance in culture
D) Expansion of state power
Answer: A) One God, equality, devotion over rituals
Explanation: This was the unifying theme across saints.
98. The Bhakti–Sufi interactions enriched Indian languages, leading to development of?
A) Urdu and Hindustani
B) Greek
C) Latin
D) English
Answer: A) Urdu and Hindustani
Explanation: Fusion of Hindi and Persian vocabulary shaped Urdu.
99. The Bhakti movement ultimately contributed to?
A) Strengthening Hindu–Muslim syncretism and composite culture
B) Weakening social reforms
C) Ending Hinduism
D) Decline of vernaculars
Answer: A) Strengthening Hindu–Muslim syncretism
Explanation: It created shared cultural traditions.
100. The Bhakti movement is regarded as?
A) A major socio-religious reform movement of medieval India
B) A political uprising
C) A Mughal military strategy
D) A Western import
Answer: A) A major socio-religious reform movement
Explanation: It transformed Indian society, religion, and culture.