RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS OF MEDIEVAL INDIA

 RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS OF MEDIEVAL INDIA ➤ The Bhakti Movement began in South India in the 7th Century.The Alvars (Vaishnavites) and Naynars popularised the Bhakti cult in South India. There were 12 Alvar Vaishnavite and 63 Naynar Saivite Saints. The writings of these saints were collected in the Tirumurai. The Tirumurai has been called as the Tamil Veda. Periya Puranam was composed by Shekkilar in the reign of the Chola king Kulottunga I.

 Ramananda was the first great Bhakti saint of North India. Raidas, Kabir, Dhanna, Pipa were his disciples. Kabir (1440-1518) belonged to a family of weavers. Kabir spent greater part of his life in Banaras. Kabir’s verses were included in Adi Granth.Raidas was a tanner. Dhanna was a Jat peasant from Rajasthan.Guru Nanak (1469-1539) was born at Nankana Sahib. Kabir and Nanak were Nirguna Bhakti saints. Vallabhacharya was a Telugu Brahmana. He was the founder of Pushti marga (way of grace)

 Chaitanya (1486-1533) was the most prominent Vaishnav saint of Bengal. He popularized Krishna Bhakti. He was looked upon as living Krishna. Jnaneswar (1275-1296) was the pioneer Bhakti Saint of Maharashtra. Jnaneswar wrote Jnaneswari. Jnaneswari is a commentary on Bhagavad Gita.

 Jnaneswar was the author of many hymns called Abhangas.Namdeva (1270-1350) was a tailor by caste. Namdeva travelled to North India and Punjab. Namdev’s Bhakti Songs have been included in the Adi Granth. Namdeva is considered to be a part of the Varkari tradition.

 In Assam, Sankaradeva (1449-1568) introduced bhakti. Sankaradeva’s sect is called Mahapurushiya dharma.Dadu (1544-1603) was inspired by Kabir’s doctrine. Tukaram’s teachings are in the form of Abhangas or dohas. Tukaram founded the Varkari Sect. Ramdasa wrote Dasabodha. Ramdasa was the Guru of Shivaji. The Lingayat Sect was founded by Basava.The biography of Chaitanya is ‘Chaitanya charitamrita’. The biography of Chaitanya was written by Krishnadas Kaviraj.

  

The disciples of Kabir later formed the Kabirpanthi sect. Jagjivan Das founded the Satnami sect. Tulsidas wrote Ramcharitmanas, Vinaypatrika, Kavitavali. Surdas wrote Sur Surawali, Sahitya Ratna, Sursagar.Mirabai was a Rajput Princes of Merta. Mirabai married to Bhojraja, son of Rana Sanga. Mirabai was famous for her devotion to Krishna.

 Mirabai advocated image-worship and observance of special fasts. Mirabai wrote Several poems like Padavali; Ramanuja advocated the philsophy of Vishistadvaitavada. Madhvacharya founded the Dvaita philosophy. Nimbarka propounded the Dvaitadvaita philosophy.Nimbarka founded the Sanak Sampradaya.

GUPTA DYNASTY

Gupta Dynesty

Sri Gupta was the founder of Gupta rule.He was succeeded by Ghatotkacha.The real founder of the Gupta power was Chandragupta I (319-355 A.D.) He was the first independent king with the title of Maharajadhiraja. He started the Gupta era in 319-320 A.D. He married a Lichchavi Princess. His empire included Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Bengal.

Samudragupta (355-380 A.D.) enlarged enormously the Gupta kingdom. His achievements are mentioned in the Prayag-Prasasti composed by Harisena. He defeated 12 rulers of Dakshinapatha. Harisena and Vasubandhu adorned his court. He was a great patron of art and adopted the title of Kaviraja. On some coins he is shown playing the Veena. V.A. Smith calls Samudragupta the ‘Napoleon of India’.Samudragupta had a disputed accession to the throne.

Virasena was the commander of Samdragupta during his southern campaign.Samudragupta performed the Aswamedha Yajna and struck gold coins of Yupa type. He granted permission to the Buddhist king of Ceylon Meghavarman to build a Monastery at Bodh Gaya. Samudragupta was succeeded by Ramgupta but Chandragupta II killed him and married his queen Dhruvadevi.He entered into matrimonial alliance with the Nagas by marrying princess Kubernaga.He defeated the Saka king Rudrasimha III and annexed his kingdom.He adopted the title of Vikramaditya.

Mehrauli iron pillar inscription mentions his authority over North western India and a portion of Bengal.Virasena’s Udaigiri cave inscription refers to his conquest of the whole world. He made Ujjain his second capital. His court contained 9 gems including Kalidasa, Amarsimha, Fa-hien, Acharya Dignaga etc. Veerasena Saba was the court poet and minister of Chandragupta II. Amarkhaddava was his army general.Fa-hien, the Chinese traveller came during the time of Chandragupta II. He issued silver and copper coins.

Taxes Levied during the Gupta Dynasty

Bhag Kings share of produce Bhoga General tribute Hiranya Tax on special produce taken in cash Bedakbhog Irrigation tax Bhatta Police tax Charasana Grazing tax Chat Security tax Gupta Temples: Places Vishnu temple : Tigawa (Jabalpur) Dasavtar temple : Deogarh (Jhansi)