Religious movements led to social and cultural changes.
The two most important religious movements of Indian history were the Bhakti and Sufi movement. The movements were organised to eradicate the religious and caste-based inequality in society. The Bhakti movement began long ago than the Sufi movement. But, both movements had a homogeneous intention to bring up the oppressed section and ensure their rights to participate equally in all social activities.
The Bhakti Movement: How it began
The Bhakti movement was initiated in the southern region of India to bridge the gap between Shaivas and Vaisnavas during the 7th and 8th centuries. Sankaracharya is claimed to be the father of this movement. Besides him, Nimbraka, Ramanuja, Vallabhacharya led this movement with the idea of the oneness of God.
Continuation of Bhakti Movement: After Muslim Invasion
Hinduism, with so much inequality based on castes and creeds, faced a challenge when the Muslims came here. Islam, with its progressive outlook, attracted the Hindus of lower castes as they found no such inequality in Islam and began to convert their religious identity. To save Hinduism from this crisis, it was necessary to reduce caste-based inequality, and the Bhakti movement played a vital role in this case. In western India, the movement was led by Sant Eknath, Jnandeva, Namdeva, Ramdas, Tulsidas, and so many other Vidushis. In Bengal, there was Sree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his fellows.
From the 16th century, when there began a kind of conflict between Hindus and Muslims in India, the Bhakti movement played a great role in reducing the conflict and establishing the sense of universal brotherhood. Kabir, Guru Nanak, Mirabai were the most remarkable ones of this movement.
Sufi Movement: An Approach Of Brotherhood From The Muslim Society
As an impact of co-living and exchanging ideas with other religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, several Islamic priests and spiritual persons began a movement parallel to the Bhakti Movement during the 12th century. There were different orders of the Sufi movement. In India, mostly the Chisti order was followed by the Sufis. The order was begun by Moinuddin Chisti, and after his death, the trend was followed by his disciples. Nizamuddin Auliya was the most famous devotee of the Chisti order.
Impact Of The Movements: On Culture And Literature
Both the movements were organised, and their ideas were propagated through literature and performing arts. The majority of the chariots of the movements had written rhythmic verses to express their ideas. Sankaracharya, Tulsidas, Kabir, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Boru Chandidas, Moinuddin Chisti, Nizamuddin Auliya had a big impact on the history of Indian literature. Kabir had a specific style of writing which is called 'Doha'. People used to sing these verses, and even, in some trends, new forms of literature, music and dance came out during the journey of these movements. Holistically, a peaceful and brotherly culture was established through the Bhakti and Sufi movement.
