NCERT Class 7 History Chapter 8 devotional paths to the divine notes.

Chapter-8: Devotional paths to the divine

These NCERT Class 7 History Chapter 8 notes explain the major religious changes in India between 700 CE and 1700 CE. The chapter focuses on devotional traditions that emphasised personal faith and inner belief over rituals and priestly control.

Devotional Paths to the Divine introduces the Bhakti movement and the Sufi tradition, explaining their ideas of love, devotion, equality and tolerance. It discusses important saints from different regions and shows how religion became accessible to common people through local languages.

This chapter helps students understand how religious movements influenced social harmony, culture and everyday life in medieval India.

1. Introduction

  • Between 700 CE and 1700 CE, India experienced major religious changes.
  • People began to follow paths based on personal devotion rather than rituals.
  • Religion became simpler and closer to common people.
  • Inner faith and belief were given more importance than ceremonies.
  • This period saw the rise of the Bhakti movement and the Sufi tradition.

2. Meaning of bhakti

  • Bhakti means loving devotion to a personal God.
  • It emphasised love, faith and surrender to God.
  • Bhakti rejected complex rituals and priestly control.
  • It was open to people of all castes and genders.
  • Devotion was considered the true path to salvation.

3. Early bhakti tradition in South India

  • The early Bhakti movement developed in South India.
  • Alvars were devotees of Vishnu.
  • Nayanars were devotees of Shiva.
  • This tradition flourished between the 6th–9th century CE.
  • Saints used Tamil, a local language, to spread ideas.
  • It challenged caste dominance and reached common people.

4. Bhakti saints in North India

  • Ramananda spread Bhakti ideas in North India using local languages.
  • Kabir criticised the caste system and idol worship.
  • Kabir believed in one formless God.
  • Mirabai was a devotee of Krishna and opposed restrictions on women.
  • Tulsidas wrote the Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi.

5. Philosophy of bhakti saints

  • Bhakti saints believed in the equality of all human beings.
  • They strongly opposed caste discrimination.
  • God was seen as accessible to everyone, not just elites.
  • Simple devotion was valued over rituals.
  • Saints used local languages to communicate easily with people.

6. Sufi tradition

  • Sufis were Islamic mystics who focused on spiritual devotion.
  • They emphasised love for God, meditation and service to humanity.
  • Sufis believed in inner purity rather than outward rituals.
  • They practised Ziyarat, or visiting shrines.
  • Sama, which included music and poetry, was an important practice.
  • A Khanqah was a Sufi spiritual centre.

7. Important Sufi saints

  • The Chishti order was the most popular Sufi order in India.
  • Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti lived in Ajmer.
  • Nizamuddin Auliya lived in Delhi.
  • These saints preached love, tolerance and brotherhood.
  • Their teachings attracted followers from all religions.

8. Shrines and Dargahs

  • Sufi shrines, called Dargahs, became centres of devotion.
  • People from different religions visited these shrines.
  • Dargahs promoted social harmony and unity.
  • They were places of prayer and spiritual guidance.
  • The Ajmer Dargah in Rajasthan is a famous example.

9. Role of language and literature

  • Bhakti and Sufi saints used local languages to spread ideas.
  • Important languages included Tamil, Awadhi, Braj and Persian.
  • Religious teachings reached common people easily.
  • Literature grew in regional languages.
  • This period strengthened regional cultural traditions.

10. Impact on Indian society

  • The movements reduced the rigidity of the caste system.
  • They promoted social harmony and unity.
  • New forms of music, poetry and dance developed.
  • Religious life became more inclusive.
  • Indian culture became richer and more diverse.

11. Important keywords

  • Bhakti means devotion to a personal God.
  • Sufi refers to Islamic mystics.
  • Alvars were devotees of Vishnu.
  • Nayanars were devotees of Shiva.
  • Khanqah was a Sufi spiritual centre.
  • Dargah is the shrine of a Sufi saint.
  • Sama refers to devotional music and poetry.

Understanding NCERT Class 7 History Chapter 8 is important to learn how Bhakti and Sufi traditions transformed religious practices and reduced social divisions in medieval India. The chapter clearly explains how devotion, language and literature connected religion with ordinary people.

The ideas discussed in Devotional Paths to the Divine help students appreciate the cultural and spiritual unity of India and are highly useful for school exams and BPSC foundation preparation.

Continue reading NCERT Class 7 History Chapter 9 – The Making of Regional Cultures to understand how regional languages, art and traditions developed across different parts of India.

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FAQs

Q1. What is Bhakti according to this chapter?
Bhakti means loving devotion to a personal God, based on faith and surrender.

Q2. Who were Sufis?
Sufis were Islamic mystics who emphasised love for God, meditation and service to humanity.

Q3. Name two Bhakti saints from North India.
Kabir and Tulsidas were important Bhakti saints from North India.

Q4. What is a Khanqah?
A Khanqah was a Sufi spiritual centre where followers gathered.

Q5. Why is this chapter important for exams?
It explains religious movements and social change, making it important for school exams and BPSC foundation preparation.

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