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Chapter 13 religioUs developmenTs

in THe medieval period

Culturally medieval period marks the beginning of new stage in the growth of India’s
composite culture. It saw the introduction of new features in art and architecture of India
and their diffusion to all parts of the country.
The architecture that developed during this period was the result of the synthesis of the
traditions of Central Asia and Persia with the pre-existing Indian styles. During the 15th and
16th centauries, distinctive styles of art and architecture also developed in the regional
kingdoms which had emerged with the disintegration of the Sultanate.
During this time, notable advances were made in the development of language and literature.
Two new languages-Arabic and Persian became a part of India’s linguistic heritage. Historical
writings for the first time became an important component of Indian literature. Under the
influence of Persian, new forms of literature such as the ghazal were introduced.

The period saw two great religious movements. The Bhakti movement spread throughout
the country and the Sufi movement.
The bhaKTi mOvemenT

Bhakti means a persons’s loving devotion to his or her chosen deity. It comes from the
Sanskrit term, ‘Bhaj’ meaning to divide or share’. This refers to an intimate and two-way
relationship between the deity and the devotee. The devotee or the Bhakta shares his or
her chosen deity’s bhaga. For example, in the Bhagavad Gita, the Lord Krishna asks Arjuna,
his devotee to abandon all Dharmas and take refuge in him. This is because, only he can
set Arjuna free from every evil.
The Bhakti Movement began in South India around the seventh century and gradually
spread to different parts of the country. The deities like Shiva, Vishnu, Durga were now

worshipped through Bhakti.
Teachings Of bhaKTi mOvemenT

The teachings of Bhakti movement are :-
1. A very close relation between the devotee and his personal god.
2. Discarding of any discrimination based on gender, caste or creed.
3. Purity of heart and mind, kindness.

bhaKTi mOvemenT in sOuTh india

The Nayanars and the Alwars led new religious movements in South India. The Nayanar saints
were devoted to Shiva while Alwar saints were devoted to Vishnu to attain salvation. The
sixty-three Nayanar saints and twelve Alwar saints of Tamil Nadu lived from early 7th century
to middle 9th century and preached Bhakti or devotion to God. They came from all castes

including those considered ‘untouchables’ like the Pulaiyar and the Pavars. There were a

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