Source-Based Questions with Answers
Below is a CBSE Class 12 History (NCERT-aligned) set of 30 Source-Based Questions with Answers from
Chapter 6: Bhakti–Sufi Traditions – Changes in Religious Beliefs and Devotional Texts.
Each item includes:
- a source/extract (paraphrased strictly from NCERT-type material),
- exam-oriented questions, and
- clear, structured answers,
making them fully suitable for CBSE board examination standards.
CBSE Class 12 History
Chapter 6: Bhakti–Sufi Traditions
Source-Based Questions with Answers (30)
1. Source: Alvar Hymns
Source:
“The Alvars sang hymns in praise of Vishnu, expressing deep emotional devotion and rejecting social hierarchies.”
Questions:
a) Who were the Alvars?
b) What social message did their hymns convey?
Answer:
a) The Alvars were Tamil poet-saints devoted to Lord Vishnu.
b) Their hymns emphasised devotion over caste distinctions and promoted equality.
2. Source: Nayanar Tradition
Source:
“The Nayanars were devoted to Shiva and travelled widely to spread the message of devotion.”
Questions:
a) Which deity did the Nayanars worship?
b) How did they spread their teachings?
Answer:
a) The Nayanars worshipped Lord Shiva.
b) They travelled across regions singing devotional hymns.
3. Source: Use of Regional Languages
Source:
“Bhakti saints composed verses in regional languages so that ordinary people could understand religious ideas.”
Questions:
a) Why did Bhakti saints avoid Sanskrit?
b) What was the impact of this practice?
Answer:
a) Sanskrit was limited to elite groups, while regional languages reached the masses.
b) It made religious teachings accessible to common people.
4. Source: Kabir’s Teachings
Source:
“Kabir criticised ritual practices in both Hinduism and Islam.”
Questions:
a) What kind of Bhakti did Kabir follow?
b) What was the focus of his criticism?
Answer:
a) Kabir followed Nirguna Bhakti.
b) He criticised ritualism and religious orthodoxy.
5. Source: Nirguna Bhakti
Source:
“Nirguna Bhakti emphasised devotion to a formless God without attributes.”
Questions:
a) What is Nirguna Bhakti?
b) Name one saint associated with it.
Answer:
a) It is devotion to a formless, attribute-less God.
b) Kabir or Guru Nanak.
6. Source: Saguna Bhakti
Source:
“Saguna Bhakti focused on devotion to God with form and qualities.”
Questions:
a) Which deities were worshipped in Saguna Bhakti?
b) Name one Saguna Bhakti saint.
Answer:
a) Rama and Krishna were commonly worshipped.
b) Tulsidas or Surdas.
7. Source: Mirabai’s Poetry
Source:
“Mirabai expressed her devotion to Krishna through songs.”
Questions:
a) Why is Mirabai significant?
b) What social norms did she challenge?
Answer:
a) She was a prominent woman Bhakti saint.
b) She challenged patriarchal restrictions on women.
8. Source: Sufism
Source:
“Sufism emphasised inner spirituality and love for God.”
Questions:
a) What is Sufism?
b) What was its main spiritual goal?
Answer:
a) Sufism is the mystical tradition of Islam.
b) To attain closeness to God through devotion.
9. Source: Sufi Silsilas
Source:
“Sufi silsilas were spiritual lineages linking saints to the Prophet.”
Questions:
a) What were silsilas?
b) Why were they important?
Answer:
a) They were chains of spiritual succession.
b) They ensured continuity of teachings.
10. Source: Chishti Order
Source:
“The Chishti saints emphasised service to humanity and simplicity.”
Questions:
a) Name the founder of the Chishti order in India.
b) Mention one principle of this order.
Answer:
a) Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
b) Service to humanity.
11. Source: Khanqahs
Source:
“Khanqahs were centres where disciples gathered for spiritual training.”
Questions:
a) What was a khanqah?
b) Name one social role it played.
Answer:
a) A Sufi hospice or spiritual centre.
b) It provided food and shelter to the poor.
12. Source: Sama
Source:
“Sama involved devotional music to achieve spiritual ecstasy.”
Questions:
a) What is sama?
b) Which Sufi order supported it?
Answer:
a) Devotional music in Sufi practice.
b) The Chishti order.
13. Source: Dargahs
Source:
“Dargahs became important pilgrimage centres.”
Questions:
a) What are dargahs?
b) Who visited them?
Answer:
a) Tombs of Sufi saints.
b) People of different religions.
14. Source: Urs
Source:
“The death anniversary of a Sufi saint was celebrated as urs.”
Questions:
a) What is urs?
b) What does it symbolise?
Answer:
a) Annual commemoration of a saint’s death.
b) Union of the saint with God.
15. Source: Sufis and Rulers
Source:
“Some Sufi orders accepted royal patronage, others avoided it.”
Questions:
a) Which order avoided rulers?
b) Which order accepted patronage?
Answer:
a) The Chishti order.
b) The Suhrawardi order.
16. Source: Bhakti–Sufi Similarities
Source:
“Both Bhakti and Sufi traditions stressed love and devotion.”
Questions:
a) Name one common feature.
b) What social effect did this have?
Answer:
a) Emphasis on personal devotion.
b) Promotion of harmony and tolerance.
17. Source: Guru Nanak
Source:
“Guru Nanak preached devotion to one God and equality.”
Questions:
a) Who was Guru Nanak?
b) What was his key message?
Answer:
a) Founder of Sikhism.
b) Belief in one God and social equality.
18. Source: Sikh Teachings
Source:
“Caste distinctions were rejected in Sikhism.”
Questions:
a) Which social practice was opposed?
b) Why was this important?
Answer:
a) Caste discrimination.
b) It promoted equality.
19. Source: Women Saints
Source:
“Women actively participated in Bhakti traditions.”
Questions:
a) Name one woman Bhakti saint.
b) Why was this significant?
Answer:
a) Mirabai.
b) It challenged gender restrictions.
20. Source: Oral Traditions
Source:
“Many devotional songs were transmitted orally.”
Questions:
a) Why were oral traditions important?
b) What was their limitation?
Answer:
a) They helped spread teachings widely.
b) Exact words could change over time.
21. Source: Hagiographies
Source:
“Hagiographies described the lives of saints.”
Questions:
a) What are hagiographies?
b) Why should historians use them carefully?
Answer:
a) Biographies of saints.
b) They often exaggerate miracles.
22. Source: Social Reform
Source:
“Bhakti traditions questioned rigid social hierarchies.”
Questions:
a) Which hierarchy was challenged?
b) What was the outcome?
Answer:
a) Caste hierarchy.
b) Greater social inclusiveness.
23. Source: Devotional Texts
Source:
“Poetry became the main form of devotion.”
Questions:
a) Why was poetry effective?
b) What emotion did it express?
Answer:
a) It was easy to remember and sing.
b) Love and devotion.
24. Source: Cultural Synthesis
Source:
“Bhakti and Sufi traditions created shared cultural spaces.”
Questions:
a) What does cultural synthesis mean here?
b) Name one shared practice.
Answer:
a) Blending of religious ideas.
b) Use of music.
25. Source: Local Traditions
Source:
“Bhakti traditions varied across regions.”
Questions:
a) Why did regional variations exist?
b) What remained common?
Answer:
a) Different languages and cultures.
b) Emphasis on devotion.
26. Source: Popular Appeal
Source:
“Devotional movements attracted common people.”
Questions:
a) Why were these movements popular?
b) Who benefited most?
Answer:
a) Simple teachings and language.
b) Lower castes and women.
27. Source: Ethical Living
Source:
“Sufis stressed moral discipline.”
Questions:
a) What values were emphasised?
b) Why were they important?
Answer:
a) Humility and self-control.
b) For spiritual growth.
28. Source: Saints as Reformers
Source:
“Saints criticised religious hypocrisy.”
Questions:
a) What did they oppose?
b) What alternative did they offer?
Answer:
a) Empty rituals.
b) Sincere devotion.
29. Source: Pilgrimage Centres
Source:
“Dargahs and temples became devotional centres.”
Questions:
a) Name one such centre.
b) What activity took place there?
Answer:
a) Ajmer dargah.
b) Prayer and pilgrimage.
30. Source: Historical Significance
Source:
“Bhakti–Sufi traditions shaped medieval Indian society.”
Questions:
a) Mention one major impact.
b) Why are they historically important?
Answer:
a) Promotion of religious tolerance.
b) They influenced social and cultural life.