Medieval India — (D) Composite Culture — Question 4
Back to all questionsWith reference to the influence of Christianity during the Mughal period, answer the following question:
(a) Explain the role played by St. Francis Xavier in spreading Christianity in India.
(b) How did the missionaries bring Europeans closer to Indians?
(c) Explain the role of Christian missionaries in promoting language, literature and art in India.
(a) St. Francis Xavier arrived in India in 1542. He spent the first five months in preaching and attending to the sick in hospitals. He would go through the streets ringing a little bell and inviting the children to hear the word of God. When he had gathered a large number of people, he would take them to a church and explain the beliefs related to Christianity to them. During the six years that St. Xavier had been working in India, other Jesuit missionaries had arrived in Goa. In 1584, he sent these missionaries to the principal centres of India, where he has established missions. He worked relentlessly for ten years in India, and preached essentials of Christianity.
(b) The missionaries in order to understand and to be understood by the Indian people brought out grammars and dictionaries of the Indian languages. The missionaries began teaching Western music, dance and instrumental music in Church schools in India. The missionaries and the Church were also teachers and patrons in India of the arts of paintings, carving and sculpture. The religious paintings of the Churches influenced the Mughals. Portuguese, English and Mughal records show the interest of Akbar and Jahangir in Christian works of arts. The Portuguese Church provided the earliest introduction to European architectural ideas in India. The Missionaries were the best interpreters of India to the Western World with their popular letters from the mission field. All these works of the missionaries brought the Indians and Europeans closer.
(c) The Missionaries, in order to establish effective communication with Indian people, brought out grammars and dictionaries of the Indian languages. St. Francis Xavier learnt the language of Malabar and brought out a manual of grammar and a vocabulary which helped the Jesuits and other missionaries to learn the language of the people of Malabar. The English Jesuit, Thomas Stephens, brought out an epic in Konkani and a grammar book. Diogo Ribeiro, another English missionary, wrote a grammar book and booklets on Christian doctrines. The missionaries began teaching Western music, dance and instrumental music in Church schools in India. The Missionaries and the Church were also teachers and patrons in India of the arts of painting, carving and sculpture. The religious paintings of the Churches influenced the Mughals. The Portuguese Church provided the earliest introduction to European architectural ideas in India. This included the long, two-storeyed house, with high-pitched roof, balconies and verandas, many windows and elaborately carved walls.
Chapter Overview: Composite Culture
India’s composite culture developed through centuries of interaction between diverse religious, linguistic, and ethnic groups. The Bhakti and Sufi movements played a central role in promoting harmony, devotion, and spiritual equality irrespective of caste or religion. The Bhakti movement (from the 7th century in South India, spreading northward by the 15th century) emphasised a personal relationship with God through love and devotion, rejecting elaborate rituals and caste distinctions.
The Sufi movement within Islam promoted mystical love for God, tolerance, and inner purity. Sufi saints (like Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Nizamuddin Auliya) and Bhakti saints (like Kabir, Guru Nanak, Mirabai, Tulsidas, Ramanuja) bridged the gap between Hinduism and Islam through their teachings of universal love and equality. Indo-Islamic architecture, music (like qawwali), language (Urdu), painting, and festivals reflect this cultural synthesis. India’s composite culture is the foundation of its unity in diversity.
Board Exam Weightage: 4-5 marks | Difficulty: Moderate
Bhakti vs Sufi Movements
| Aspect | Bhakti Movement | Sufi Movement |
|---|---|---|
| Religion | Hinduism | Islam (mystical tradition) |
| Core idea | Devotion to God; rejection of rituals and caste | Mystical love for God; inner purity; universal brotherhood |
| Saints | Ramanuja, Kabir, Guru Nanak, Mirabai, Tulsidas, Chaitanya | Moinuddin Chishti, Nizamuddin Auliya, Amir Khusrau |
| Language | Vernacular (Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, Bengali) | Persian, later Hindustani |
| Impact | Weakened caste rigidity; promoted vernacular literature | Promoted Hindu-Muslim harmony; music (qawwali) |
Must-Know Concepts
- Kabir: Rejected both Hindu rituals and Islamic orthodoxy; preached unity of God; his dohas (couplets) are famous
- Guru Nanak: Founded Sikhism; rejected caste, rituals, and idol worship; established langar (community kitchen)
- Sufi Orders: Chishti (most important in India), Suhrawardi, Qadiri, Naqshbandi
- Cultural Synthesis: Urdu language, Indo-Islamic architecture (Qutub Minar, Taj Mahal), miniature painting, music (khayal, qawwali)
- Amir Khusrau: Father of Qawwali; contributed to the development of Hindustani music and the Urdu language
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating Bhakti and Sufi as identical — they arose from different religious traditions but shared similar values
- Confusing Kabir (rejected both Hindu and Muslim rituals) with Tulsidas (devotion to Ram within Hinduism)
- Forgetting to mention cultural contributions like architecture, music, and language development
Scoring Tips
- For composite culture questions, cover all dimensions: religion, architecture, language, music, festivals
- Pair each saint with their specific teaching and contribution
- Use the phrase “unity in diversity” to frame your concluding points
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Bhakti movement promote social equality?
Bhakti saints preached that God could be reached by anyone regardless of caste, using local languages instead of Sanskrit. Saints like Kabir (weaver), Ravidas (cobbler), and Namdev (tailor) themselves came from lower castes, challenging the caste hierarchy.
What was the role of Sufi saints in India?
Sufi saints like Moinuddin Chishti established khanqahs (hospices) open to all. They adopted local customs, spoke local languages, and emphasised love over ritual, attracting both Hindu and Muslim followers and promoting communal harmony.
What are examples of Indo-Islamic cultural synthesis?
Architecture blended Indian and Persian styles (Taj Mahal). The Urdu language combined Hindi grammar with Persian/Arabic vocabulary. Music forms like qawwali and khayal emerged. Miniature painting fused Persian and Indian artistic traditions.